Southern Academy picks up 12-7 win after falling behind 7-0

By: Denton Ramsey/Sports Editor

GREENSBORO – The Southern Academy Cougars varsity baseball team rallied for a 12-7 victory yesterday afternoon at home over Cornerstone Christian in game one, round one of the AISA playoffs.

The Cougars fell behind early, 7-0, to the visiting Chargers but came roaring back in innings two through five – plating 12 runs to comeback and win game one in the best-of-three series.

“I got them in and told them it was no big deal,” Cougars head coach Steve King said.

“I told them we’re going to score some runs on these guys, let’s just not try to do it in one inning – just chip away and chip away and that’s what we did.”

Southern Academy did just that – chipping away at the Chargers lead until the game was deadlocked at 7-7 through four innings.

“The key was Walton Washburn – he came in seven runs down and didn’t give up a single run and they only had one runner on third base while he was in,” King said.

“So he went 5 2/3 innings and overall that was key and that was his first win of the season.”

Washburn was sent into relieve starting pitcher Jake Johnston after he surrendered seven runs (five earned) through 1 2/3 innings pitched.

Washburn pitched the final innings of relief, going 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief while striking out five.

Leading the way offensively for the Cougars was Wallace Drury, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a solo-homerun.

# Kynard also contributed for Southern Academy, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.

Thomas Langham, however, stole the show for the Cougars, going 3-for-3 with three RBI on a three-run homerun in the decisive fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth inning and the game tied at 7-7, Southern Academy started off with two straight walks before their first out.

With runners on second and third base, the Cougars took their first lead of the game on a sac fly, 8-7.

Drury followed by safely reaching first base and driving in a run after an error by the Chargers second baseman.

After another walk to put runners at first and second, Langham smoked a three-run homer deep over the rightfield wall for a 12-7 Cougars lead.

And after that, Southern never looked back – controlling the final two innings of play with strong defense and solid pitching.

“We showed a lot of maturity and just didn’t panic,” King said.

“It feels good to win the first one, but we have got to come out aggressive in game two and take care of business.”

With the win, the Cougars move to 21-5 overall as they hosted the Chargers in game two last night of the AISA playoffs.

GAME TWO

Southern Academy 10

Cornerstone Christian 2

The Southern Academy Cougars are advancing in AISA postseason play after defeating Cornerstone Christian, 10-2, in game two last night in the best-of-three series in Greensboro.

Thomas Langham (8-1) picked up the win for the Cougars.

Leading the way offensively for Southern Academy was John Kynard, who went 3-for-5, Samuel Justice, who went 3-for-4, and Jake Johnston, who also went 3-for-4.

After beating the Chargers 12-7 in game one, the Cougars came out hot in game two – knocking off Cornerstone 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs.

Also in action yesterday, Sumter Academy and Shelby Academy split their series with the deciding game coming this afternoon at 1 p.m.

Sumter beat Shelby 9-7 in game one and Shelby defeated Sumter 10-0 in game two.

Southern Academy will return to action next Thursday for the ‘final four’ of the AISA playoffs.