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James J. Lidington

COURTLAND

Isle of Wight Academy wrapped up an undefeated week with a 5-1 win on March 29 over Southampton Academy, returning to a .500 winning percentage for the first time since the season-opener.

Andrew Holt was 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs against the Raiders. Teammate Noah Colyer was 3 for 4, scoring twice, and Cole Praither was 2 for 4 with a run.

The Chargers broke open a close contest in the fifth inning. Conner Soady grounded to short and reached on an error, advancing to second base. After Praither flied out to center, Colyer singled to right, advancing Soady to third.

With one out, the Raiders elected to walk Boyce to get to Holt with the bases loaded. The Charger backstop responded with a single, scoring Colyer and Soady, and moving Boyce to second. With 2 down, Bryce Daniels singled on a line drive to center Scoring Boyce.

Starter Aidan Williams earned the win, pitching 5 innings, allowing 2 hits and a run, striking out 6 and walking 5. Junior Tyler Watkins earned the save, pitching 2 hitless, scoreless innings, fanning one Southampton batter.

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The Chargers began the week with a 3-1 win on March 25, over traditional rival Atlantic Shores in IWA’s Metro Athletic Conference opener. They had not defeated the Seahawks since 2011.

Holt was 3 for 3 with 3 singles and 3 RBI.

Senior starting pitcher Hunter Hayden got the win, allowing a hit, a run, striking out one and walking 5. Boyce earned a 2-inning save, allowing only a hit and striking out one.

Holt also played a role in a key defensive sequence in the bottom of the first inning. With IWA leading 2-0 and after retiring Shores’ leadoff hitter, Hayden walked the next two Seahawk batters. After the cleanup hitter flied out to right, Hayden walked another batter to load the bases with 2 down.

Left-fielder Jacob Pantak grounded sharply to short, scoring Corbin McCloud. But Boyce came up throwing to Holt, nailing Diego Doran — the potential tying run — for the third out and earning the Seahawk DH an ejection for illegal contact with a defender in the baseline.

 

JAMES J. LIDINGTON teaches at Isle of Wight Academy. Contact him at 357-3866.