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JAMES J. LIDINGTON

ISLE OF WIGHT

Noah Pye went 4-for-4 with two RBIs as the Chargers topped local rival Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 7-4 here last Thursday.

Pye also scored a run in addition to his four singles. Fellow senior Dylan Robertson was 2-for-4 with a run scored and junior Hunter Hayden was 2-for-3 with a walk for IWA (3-2.)

Ryan Boyce earned his second pitching victory in three starts on the strength of 6.2 innings of six-hit ball, fanning six and walking a pair. At the plate, the junior hurler was 1-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs for IWA.

Isle of Wight went ahead for good in the fourth inning, plating six runs. With one out and two runners in scoring position, Boyce doubled over the head of the NSA center fielder, scoring both runners.

Boyce scored from second on a single by Pye. One out later, Bryce Daniels singled over the third-base bag, scoring Pye and setting the stage for a play that blew the game open. Colby William stepped to the plate and launched what seemed to be a routine fly ball into the outfield.

But two NSA defenders collided trying to make the play, sending two Charger base runners home and advancing Williams to second base to make the score 7-1.

It was a fortuitous turn of events, as the Saints scored again in the fifth and twice more in the seventh. Without that error, IWA would have led 5-4 at that point. But with two outs in the seventh, Boyce gave way to sophomore Tyler Watkins, who secured the final out of the game.

IWA opened the scoring in its first trip to the plate. Senior Dixon Mills singled and advanced to third on a field error on an NSA outfielder. An out later, Mills scored on Pye’s first single. With two down, Hayden singled to short, advancing Pye to third, where he would be stranded when Daniels grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Hayden and Pye have established themselves as the team’s leading hitters, each with .500 averages. Boyce is close behind with a .429 average. Thanks to Thursday’s outing, Pye holds the team lead in RBI with 6 and in walks with 5. Mills leads in runs scored with 7.

The previous Tuesday, Isle of Wight engaged in a pitchers duel with Norfolk Academy and could not hold on against the Bulldogs, losing 3-1.

IWA scored early, notching one run in the first. With one out, Boyce walked and later advanced to second, then third, on passed balls. Pye’s ground-out for the second out scored Boyce.

And that was it for scoring until the Academy half of the fourth. Their leadoff hitter singled, then took second when an error by Boyce allowed the following hitter aboard. Micah Whitmire singled, driving in a run. Starting pitcher Brendan Kastner the followed with a line drive single scoring another run. Hayden walked Brett Pezzella to load the based with two outs. Then Landon Porter singled to drive in courtesy runner Jonny Hines. The inning ended when Ryan Ramirez was thrown out at home.

Hayden threw four innings, allowing only one earned run and striking out three and walking one. Holt pitched two innings of scoreless relief.

IWA is on spring break this week and returns to the diamond on Tuesday, April 10, hosting Christchurch School. They play at Greenbrier Christian on Thursday, April 12, and travel to Northern Virginia on Saturday, April 14, for games against Trinity Christian and Highland School.

James J. Lidington is a teacher at Isle of Wight Academy. He can be reached at 357-3866.