Lakewood’s Leopards had their chances Friday night when they squared off with South Robeson, but too many runners left on base turned out to be the difference in the ball game. The No. 2 seeded team from the Three Rivers Conference came away with the 4-1 win.
The Leopards, led 1-0 up until the fifth inning, but that’s when South Robeson’s bats came alive, giving the home team the lead and the eventual win.
“It was a good game,” coach Larry Bass said. “The difference in the game was we couldn’t get timely hits; we didn’t produce runs when we had people in scoring position.”
Bass said the Leopards, ranked fourth in the Tri-County Conference, loaded the bases three different times, but couldn’t bring the runners in.
“We needed those timely hits. It’s disappointing, but that’s what it boiled down too.”
The teams seemed well-matched, with both the Leopards and South Robeson getting 5 hits a piece. The home team, however, was able to capitalize and the Leopards were not.
On the mound for Lakewood was Austin Tanner, who struck out 4 batters and gave up 5 hits.
Leading batters were Ross Strickland, 1 for 3, with 1 run; Tanner, 2 for 3; Jeffery Tanner, 1 for 3; Seth Herwy, 1 for 3; Carlon Cannady, hit by a pitch; and Trey Faircloth, Garrett Hall and Ross Strickland, all with a walk each.
The Leopards end their season at 10-13.
“I’m happy with the way we played this season,” Bass stressed. “This team has grown every year, and I’m already looking forward to next season, when we can take the next step.”
The Leopards will lose only two players this year, seniors Trey Faircloth and Devon Martin.
“We’ll miss those guys,, but I’m looking forward to what I’ve got coming back and those who’ll be moving up, too.”
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