Garner Uses Youth and Experience to Get Past West Johnston

WEB CAST.

It's built as the premiere softball rivalry in the area, as it always is when Garner and West Johnston get together on the softball field and again on Tuesday night, the game lived up to the hype as Garner slid past West Johnston 2-1 in the season opener for the Lady Trojans.

Garner gave the ball to true Freshman, Christina Gower who was making her debut in a Lady Trojan uniform against the contemptuous rival from Benson and in the opening frame, Gower was sharp getting West to go in order and also getting two strikeouts in the first.

West Johnston's Lexi Betancourt was equally as dominate as she took to the center circle for the Wildcats, however, Betancourt's delivery home became the focal point of the game as she was called for four illegal pitches because her back foot was not constantly in contact with the pitching rubber.

Despite the pitching controversy, West Johnston had a 1-0 lead after four compete innings as the Wildcats played some small ball to jump ahead in the fourth as Kristen Partin singled to lead off the fourth and after a sacrifice bunt moved her to second, Marisa Hackney singled to left to plate Partin and give West the 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless top of the fifth, Garner was running out of chances to score, but that's when the Lady Trojan experience blended with some youth to put runs on the board. Freshman Maddi Stewart started the fifth inning with a bloop single over the head of the Wildcat third basemen to put the lead off hitter on base.

Following a Gower strikeout, Mary Scott Powell tried to bung Stewart over to second and she appeared to stakeout, but caught a break when Betancourt was called for her fourth illegal pitch which allowed Powell to single two pitches later and put runners at corners with only one out for Raven Smith.

Smith fell behind in the count 0-2 and battled back to work the count even at 2-2 before lacing a single to right center field and plate two runs to give Garner the 2-1 lead.

The score would remain the same going to the top of the seventh when West Johnston had their last call. Marisa Hackney led off the inning by drawing a walk and later advanced to second and third on wild pitches.

With Hackney standing on third base, Betancourt struck out swinging on three pitches. So, with one out, and a runner at third base, Ashley Carroll made THE play of the night.

On a 3-2 count, Amber West fouled off pitch after pitch and on the 11th pitch of the at bat, West, sent a shot down to third base where Carroll picked up the ground ball and saw Hackeny too far off the base and tagged her out for a huge second out of the inning.

The last West hope was Danielle Meyers who fouled out to Meghan Strickland at first to end the game.

Garner (1-0, 1-0) will be back in action on Thursday night when they host Millbrook at 6:00.

Winning Pitcher: Christina Gower - 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 K

Losing Pitcher: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 6 BB, 10 K

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Varsity Baseball Picks up First Win

After losing their first three games on the season, the Varsity baseball was in desperate need of a win as they hosted West Johnston in the conference opener on Tuesday night at Trojan Park.

Garner gave the ball to their senior ace, Jacob Baker who responded to strikeout 13 Wildcats batters and give up just one un-earned run as Garner powered past West 4-1.

The Wildcats got their run in the top of the first off as a throwing error extended the inning to allow a run to score.

But, the Trojans did not go away as they put up three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the 3-1 lead and just for good measure, in the sixth, CJ Schmidt hit his first home run of the year, a solo shot to right center to give Garner a 4-1 win.

The Trojans (1-3, 1-0) will be back in action on Friday night as they travel to Clayton for a 7:00 first pitch.

Updated Tennis Results

Garner 3
West Johnston 6

Singles:

D. Morgan (WJ) def. C. Smith (G) 7-5, 4-6, 10-3
H. Stevens (WJ) def. K. Fowler (G) 5-7, 6-4, 15-13
M. Simons (WJ) def. A. Bowling (G) 6-3, 2-6, 10-8
C. Simpson (G) def. C. Shank (WJ) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
B. Allen (WJ) def. C. Sutton (G) 6-1, 6-2
C. Martinez (WJ) def. M. Nyutu (G) 6-1, 4-6, 12-10

Doubles:

C. Smith/K. Fowler (G) def. D. Morgan/H. Stevens (WJ) 8-4
M. Simons/B. Allen (WJ) def. C. Simpson/D. Mejia (G) 8-5
A. Bowling/C. Sutton (G) def. B. Juarez/J. Davis (WJ) 8-6

Exhibitions:

Nick Stephenson and Tyler Hunter 8-5 win in doubles
Shane Whittington and Evan Pierce 8-4 win in doubles
Ryan Mahjoub and Mark Nyutu 5-8 loss in doubles
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Garner 6
South Brunswick 3

Singles:

C. Smith (G) def. E. Burnett (SB) 6-4, 6-3
T. Lloyd (SB) def. K. Fowler (G) 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4)
G. Azzatto (SB) def. A. Bowling (G) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
C. Simpson (G) def. P. Evans (SB) 6-1, 6-4
S. Berg (SB) def. C. Sutton (G) 6-4, 6-3
M. Nyutu (G) def. E. Gilbert (SB) 6-4, 6-1

Doules:

C. Smith/K. Fowler (G) def. E. Burnett/P. Evans (SB) 8-5
C. Simpson/D. Mejia (G) def. T. Lloyd/T. Goldstein (SB) 8-6
C. Sutton/A. Bowling (G) def. G. Azzatto/S. Berg (SB) 8-3

Exhibitions:

Collin Simpson and Andrew Smith 6-8 loss in doubles
Ryan Mahjoub and Evan Hall 8-8 tie in doubles
Joseph Graham and Joseph Stewart 8-4 win in doubles
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Garner 5
South Brunswick 4

Singles:

C. Smith (G) def. T. Lloyd (SB) 6-2, 6-4
E. Burnett (SB) def. K. Fowler (G) 7-6 (9-7), 6-4
G. Azzatto (SB) def. C. Simpson (G) 6-0, 6-4
A. Bowling (G) def. S. Berg (SB) 6-0, 7-6 (7-3)
P. Evans (SB) def. D. Mejia (G) 6-3, 6-3
M. Nyutu (G) def. E. Gilbert (SB) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles:

C. Smith/K. Fowler (G) def. E. Burnett/P. Evans (SB) 8-6
T. Lloyd/T. Goldstein (SB) def. C. Simpson/D. Mejia (G) 9-8 (7-5)
A. Bowling/C. Sutton (G) def. G. Azzatto/S. Berg 8-4

Exhibitions:

Nick Stephenson and Tyler Hunter 8-2 win in doubles
Evan Pierce and Shane Whittington 7-9 loss in doubles
Justin Webster and Keith Dolman 2-8 loss in doubles
Collin Simpson and Joseph Graham 8-2 win in doubles
Andrew Smith and Dylan King 1-8 loss in doublesbb

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Garner 2
Clayton 7

Singles:

S. Hernandez (C) def. C. Smith (G) 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
Col. Postlethwait (C) def. K. Fowler (G) 6-4, 4-6, 14-12
C. Tinsley (C) def. A. Bowling (G) 6-4, 5-7, 10-8
T. Cannada (C) def. C. Simpson (G) 3-6, 6-4, 10-5
Cly. Postlethwait (C) def. C. Sutton (G) 6-2, 6-2
D. Dale (C) def. M. Nyutu (G) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles:

S. Hernandez/C. Tinsley (C) def. C. Smith/K. Fowler (G) 8-5
C. Simpson/D. Mejia (G) def. Col. Postlethwait/Cly. Postlethwait (C) 9-7
A. Bowling/C. Sutton (G) def. T. Cannada/D. Dale (C) 8-5

Exhibitions:

Nick Stephenson and Tyler Hunter 3-8 loss in doubles
Shane Whittington and Evan Pierce 1-8 loss in doubles
Ryan Mahjoub and Andrew Smith 8-6 win in doubles
Ethan Mitchell 5-8 loss in singles

Trojan Rally Falls Short in Home Opener

WEB CAST.

It was the same story for the Varsity Baseball team on Monday afternoon as they opened the home portion of their schedule as they hosted the Broughton Capitals at Trojan Park. The Trojans fell behind early and made a valiant comeback before falling to Broughton 7-5.

Broughton jumped on the board first as after a walk and error allowed the inning to continue, Capital first basemen, Thomas Butler, homered just over the left field wall to make it 3-0 Caps. That would be the biggest mistake that Garner started Will Norris made on Monday in his varsity debut.

Norris would give up four more runs over the course of the next three innings, however, of the seven totals runs he allowed, only four of them were earned, due to the fact the Trojans made a season high five errors on Monday afternoon.

Despite the pour fielding performance, the Trojans refused to quit as in the bottom of the fifth, the Trojans found some life offensively. With one out, Jesse Fisher decided to take matters into his own hands after he was hit by a pitch, Fisher, stole second and third to put himself in scoring position and later scored on an Alec Hulmes double to right field. Colin Perry also reached base via a walk and later scored on a Hunter Brown RBI single and Hulmes would also cross home in the fifth on a Jackson Pleasant double to cut the lead to 7-3.

After holding Broughton scoreless in the top of the sixth, Garner again found some offense as with one out, Fisher again took matters into his own hands with a infield bunt single down the third base line to put himself on base.

Colin Perry was then hit in the back and Alec Hulmes singled to load the bases. Hunter Brown followed Hulmes and walked to bring home a run and Jackson Pleasant had a sacrifice fly to drive in the fifth Trojan run of the game.

However, Garner would get no closer as in the seventh, the Trojans went one, two, three and will hope for better luck on Tuesday when they host the West Johnston Wildcats in the Conference opener. The JV team will play at 4 followed by the Varsity at 7:00 at Trojan Park.

Winning Pitcher: Charley Goode - 2/3 Innings, 3 Hits, 3 Runs, 1 Walk, 1 Hit Batter, 1 strikeout
Losing Pitcher: Will Norris - 4 Innings, 5 Hits, 6 Runs, 4 Earned Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Strikeouts

Save: Cam Gombatz - 1 Inning, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Walks, 1 Strikeout

US Security Associates

Trojans Lose a Wild One

WEB CAST.

After a tough loss to open the season on Friday night, the Varsity Baseball team was looking to find some offense on Saturday as they traveled to Fuquay for a match up with the Bengals, and after a rocky start, the Trojans had a four run lead, only to lose the lead as they fell 11-8 to Fuquay.

Wingate signee, Hunter Brown began the game on the bump for the Trojans, and looked shaky in the first as the first four hitters reached base against Brown as he gave up two runs in the opening frame to give the Bengals a 2-0 lead.

Garner wouldn't get anything going on offense until the third inning with one out, Brett Bailey got his first hit of the season, that was followed by Jared Newbry who lined a ball off pitcher, Craig Mitchell's glove and Garner had two on with one out.

Jesse Fisher followed Newbry with a double off the right field wall to score the first Garner run of the season. After a RBI ground out by Colin Perry gave Garner a 2-2 tie, Alec Humles gave the Trojans their first lead of the season as he hit the Mitchell pitch over the wall in dead center field and after three innings, Garner had a 4-2 lead.

After the Trojans added another run in the fourth on a Brett Bailey ground out, Garner would continue to pad the lead in the top of the fifth as Alec Hulmes hit his second home run of the game over the left center field fence and Garner had a 6-2 lead.

But, in the bottom of the fifth, things took a turn for the worst as the Trojans struggled to find the zone and after a couple of walks and a base hit, Fuquay had the bases loaded with no outs. Addison Braswell struck out for the first out of the inning.

That was followed by a Harper Jones RBI single and Austin Rish grounded out to score a run and Garner still had a two run lead. And it looked like Garner would get out of the inning as there was a ground ball up to first, but a wild throw allowed three runs to score including Micheal Mickey who was the player who hit the ball.

The three run error allowed Fuquay to take a 7-6 lead going to the sixth. In the top of inning number six, Garner went three up and three down, but the Bengals weren't done. Fuquay scored four more runs in the sixth to take a 11-6 lead going to Garner's final at bat.

Garner didn't give up in the seventh as Alec Hulmes started the inning with a double to left followed by a Hunter Brown single and CJ Schmidt doubled to left to plate Hulmes, that was followed by a Jackson Pleasant sacrifice fly to score Brown and make the score 11-8, however, that would be as close as the Trojans would come as they fell to Fuquay (2-0) on Saturday afternoon.

Garner (0-2) will be back in action on Monday night when they open the home portion of their schedule when they host the Broughton Capitals at Trojan Park, first pitch is slated for 4:00.

Winning Pitcher: Devin Kelly: 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Losing Pitcher: Matt Powell: 1 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1 K

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Tough Start for Varsity Baseball on Opening Day

WEB CAST.

With the dawning of the first Friday in March, the Garner Trojans were hoping that Opening Day would be their first step toward the first conference championship since 2005, however, the Trojans would find the road to victory to be tough on Friday as they fell to Broughton 5-0.

Garner had a great scoring chance right off the bat as Jesse Fisher led off the game with a walk and after a couple of quick outs, Hunter Brown also walked before a strikeout ended the frame.

Defensively, Garner looked sharp in the early going as East Carolina signee, Jacob Baker looked great in the opening frame with a one, two, three inning and two strikeouts.

Again in the second, Garner would threaten, but would not score. In the bottom half, Baker gave up a couple of base runners, but pitched out of the jam to keep the game scoreless.

In the bottom of third, the Caps would find their stride, as a lead off single and a couple of mental miscues hurt the Trojans as the three wild pitch/pass balls allowed three Broughton runs to score.

After Broughton scored another run in the fifth, Garner had another great scoring chance with two runners on and no one out, but again, Garner failed to score and just couldn't find that spark as they managed just three hits on the afternoon and left seven runners on base.

Garner (0-1) will try again Saturday as they travel to Fuquay-Varina for a 3:00 first pitch.

**The JV team swept the double header with Broughton at Trojan Park on Friday.**

Winning Pitcher: Will Watkins - 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Losing Pitcher: Jacob Baker - 3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 6 K

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Garner, NC 27529
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Outer Loop Sports Show Back Again!

The Outer Loop Sports Show is back on the air this week, with a lot to talk about! This week, the guys talk about the Regional Basketball games in Greenville, what the future of the regionals are and they also dicuss the upcoming baseball season!

Watch and enjoy and be a part of the show by sending a email to outerloopsports@gmail.com

Outer Loop Sports Show: March 3, 2010 from Outer Loop Sports Show on Vimeo.

Trojan Sports Network Continues Cutting Edge High School Sports Broadcasting

The Trojan Sports Network, is one of the only high school sports broadcasting networks in the state of North Carolina and the Trojan Sports Network is pleased to announce that they are once again re-writing the script on how high school sports are covered.

Beginning the Monday, March 8th the Trojan Sports Network will team up once again with Shuck 'em Shack Oyster Bar. To bring you a weekly LIVE Coaches show. Each Monday night at 7:00, the Trojan Sports Network will present a ONE HOUR radio show with 30 minutes devoted to baseball and softball.

Along with the baseball and softball shows, all other Spring Sports Shows will be recognized each week, along with a player's of the week, giveaways and other exciting things to come.

If you're interested in advertising with the Trojan Sports Network or want to sponsor the show, you can email trojansportsnetwork@gmail.com.

The Trojan Sports Network, your home for Garner Athletics!

Trojan Nation Welcomes Newest Member

Congratulations to JV Baseball Coach and Garner alum TJ Nelson and his wife Misty on the birth of their son Rayne Crocker Nelson who was born on Saturday and is 7 lb 9 oz and everyone is doing well!

Congratulations again the Nelson family on their newest edition!

Trojans Have Good Showing at Wrestling States

1st Round

130 - Nick Rodrigues (Lake Norman) Decision 10-6 over Anthony Chiles (Garner)
285 - Tyler Maher (Garner) Fall 2:39 over Devon Moore (East Mecklenburg)

1st Round Consulation

130 - Daniel Mitchell (Apex) Decision 9-5 over Anthony Chiles (Garner)

2nd Round Quarterfinals

285 - Collin Campbell (Person) Decision 7-0 over Tyler Maher (Garner)

3rd Round - Quarterfinal Consulaion

285 - Tyler Maher Fall 2:56 over Raquan Edwards (Parkland)

4th Round - Pre-Semi-Final Consulation

285 - Marcus Miller (Pine Forest) Fall 4:04 over Tyler Maher (Garner)

Tyler was one round from placing. Both wrestlers did an outstanding job at States and the Trojan Nation is very proud of them

Trojans Fall in Overtime to New Hanover

WEB CAST.

Again Friday night came down to a game of runs in the sectional finals as the Trojans traveled to New Hanover on Friday night looking to win their first sectional final since 1998. However, the Trojans couldn't pull it out as they lost 62-59 in overtime.

The game started off with New Hanover starting the game on a little spurt to take a early lead, however the Trojans answered right back as Stephon Drane scored six points in the first quarter, with Garner down two and four seconds left in the opening stanza, the Wildcats make a quick basket, but Garner point guard Emanuel McClain went coast to coast and hit a floater to end the fist stanza and pull the Trojans even at 12-12 as the first quarter came to an end.

After a first quarter plagued with team fouls, New Hanover had committed just two team fouls while Garner committed seven team fouls including the first technical foul of the season on Coach Eddie Gray.

But, despite the foul situation, the Trojans evened the game back up and even pulled ahead as Gavin Wilson scored eight second quarter points to give the Trojans a 26-23 lead at halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Garner as the Trojans were able to work the ball inside and get the New Hanover big guys in foul trouble. Another big key to the third stanza was the Trojans finally found their outside shooting.

After not making a three in the first half, Garner explode for four third quarter three point baskets including three of them by Gavin Wilson and one by Donald Johnson. As a result, Garner had a 47-42 lead after three.

That lead would grow to as many as eight points in the fourth quarter, but New Hanover refused to quit, even when both their star big guys fouled out in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats forced several Garner turnovers as the Trojans became timid with the ball on offense and allowed the Wildcats to tie the game.

With time running out in the fourth, New Hanover had a shot to win the game with a three from the corner, but the shot went begging and we were heading to overtime tied at 54.

Garner seemed to have the edge in the extra session, with both big guys out for New Hanover, however Garner had foul troubles of their own as Stephon Drane and Dominique Reed both had four fouls.

Garner did hit a the first basket in overtime to go up by two, but New Hanover would scored the next four points to take a two point lead. Garner was able to get a blocked shot by Wilson, but on his rebound, Gavin Wilson was called for a technical foul, to give the Wildcats two shots and the ball.

Freddie Jackson hit one of two of the technical shots to give New Hanover a four point lead. Garner made a defensive stand and came down court and got a three pointer to bank home from Donald Johnson.

On the ensuing inbound pass, the Trojans got a steal and had several close shots to take the lead, but the shot by Malcome Sloan went begging, and as Coach Gray beached the officials for a foul, Garner found themselves still down by one and had to foul.

New Hanover made both shots and took a three point lead with just four seconds left. Garner got the ball and the shot my Emanuel McClain went begging and the Trojans lost a thriller 62-59.

Garner (18-9) finishes the season with their second consecutive conference championship and the first sectional final appearance since James Mays played for the Blue and Gold.

New Hanover (20-7) will advance to the regionals in Greenville next Friday night.

Congratulations to Coach Gray and the Trojans for an outstanding season!

Scoring:
GARNER: G. Wilson 21, D. Johnson 16, S. Drane 10, D. Reed 7, E. McClain 5, D. Dorsey 1.
New Hanover: F. Jackson 21, C. Daley 14, D. Thames 12, M. Gibbs 7, D. Rodgers 5, J. Lewis 2.

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