One night after being run-ruled in shutout fashion on their own field by previously winless Pender, the Midway baseball team traveled to Clinton to pay it forward. On another cold and blustery night in Sampson County, the Raiders bats came alive in mighty fashion as they were able to get back on track with an 11-0 shutout win of their own against the Dark Horses.

Carson Calcutt was credited the win after a sensational pitching effort by the Raider sophomore. Calcutt went five innings, allowing only one hit and one walk and tallied eight strikeouts. Senior Dustin Holland finished the game in relief in the sixth inning, picking up a pair of strikeouts of his own in three-up, three-down fashion to end the game and seal the victory.

Midway struck quick on Friday night as the Raiders picked up their first run of the game in the top of the first inning. Greg Nobles led the game off by reaching on an error at third. Two batters later, Jake Clark doubled to bring Nobles home for the 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless bottom first inning, Midway got right back to work, scoring two runs in the top of the second to stretch their lead. Holland drew a walk to begin the inning when two batters later, Griffin Williams — designated runner for Holland — was batted in by a Calcutt RBI double. Calcutt later scored himself to give the Raiders the 3-0 lead.

The Raiders padded their lead in the third inning after Adam Butler got aboard on a one-out single and was later brought home by Austin Raynor to boost the lead to 4-0.

The Dark Horses just couldn’t produce any significant threats as Midway doubled its run total in the fourth inning to increase the lead to 8-0. Nobles, Clark, Butler, and Colby Pope all scored runs for the Raiders to open up a wide 8-0 margin.

The Raiders would add three final runs in the sixth inning as Clark, Butler and Chandler Williford all crossed home plate to reach the mercy-rule status at 11-0.

Midway’s bats were far more alive in Friday night’s contest as the Raiders racked up a total of 11 hits compared to just the one on Thursday.

Clark, Butler, Williford and Pope all had two hits for Midway while Nobles, Holland and Calcutt added one hit apiece. Clark also added three RBIs to complement his hit total and Williford added two RBIs.

With the win, Midway improves to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the Four County Conference. Their next game is set for Tuesday as they host Wallace-Rose Hill.

For Clinton, the Dark Horses suffer their first loss of the season and are now 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play. They also play Tuesday, hosting Union.

Midway pitcher Carson Calcutt fires a pitch on Friday night.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Carson.jpgMidway pitcher Carson Calcutt fires a pitch on Friday night.

Clinton batter Trey Warren connects with a ball on Friday night.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_CHS-7.jpgClinton batter Trey Warren connects with a ball on Friday night.

By Daron Barefoot

Sports Editor

Reach Sports Editor Daron Barefoot at [email protected].