Winston Academy took to the field on the road last week in three Spring Break games.
After beating Oak Hill Academy at East Central Community College on Monday, the Patriots split games at Stringer High School against a couple of public school teams in Seminary and Enterprise.
Class 3A Seminary and WA battled in a pitcher’s duel as the Bulldogs were the ones to blink first in extra innings giving up a run in the top of the inning to lose 3-2. Aiden Fancher threw the final 1.2 innings of scoreless relief as he followed up a masterful job by starter Brylee Wall.
Wall pitched 6.1 innings, gave up three hits, two runs and neither were earned. He walked just one batter and struck out six. He was going head-to-head with Seminary pitcher Craig Bullock and the senior went 7.0 innings, surrendered four hits, two runs, three walks and struck out nine.
Fancher hit his eighth home run of the season in the game as the junior had a 3-for-3 day and accounted for all but two of the five hits. Three of those hits were extra bases, however, as Trey Williamson and Camden Sanders both had RBI two-baggers.
In game two of the day, the Patriots didn’t have the start they needed on the mound or defensively as they gave up four runs in the first inning and never could catch up in a 6-2 loss. Coach Charlie Smith threw five players in the game and all but J.T. McGinnis threw just one inning. McGinnis went 2.2 perfect innings in relief.
The hits came in the game for the Patriots but not enough runs. WA scattered nine hits and another couple of players walked in the loss. Jett Joiner and Jennings Fulton had two hits each while McGinnis doubled in the game.
This week is a big one for the Patriots (12-5, 1-2 MAIS2-4A). They were slated to host a double-header of district action against Lamar School starting at 4 p.m. if weather permitted.
On Thursday, WA is scheduled to travel to Lamar for game three of that series.
