WEB CAST.
Brian Taylor struck out 12 Garner hitters on Monday night as he worked five innings and helped lead Harnett Central to a 9-2 win over Garner to close the regular season.
Harnett Central (15-6, 11-3) struck first in their opening at bat against Danny Shortt (L, 3-4) as they scored four runs. After the first three hitters reached, Heath Bowers singled over the head of Aquail Sanders to drive home two runs, on the play, the Trojans made a couple of throwing errors allowing a third run to score and later in the inning, Central scored another run on a double steal.
Garner (11-12, 8-6) got the first run against Taylor in the second. CJ Schmitt led off the inning with a double to the gap in right center and was brought home on a Brighton Hudson single to right and it was 4-1, Harnett Central going to the bottom of the second.
Once again Central flexed their offensive power in the second as a pair of runs scored to make it 6-1 on a Jonathan Bayles two-run single.
Garner got great bullpen work by Jake Faucette who pitched three innings in relief allowing just one unearned run and striking out a pair.
After a single run in the fourth, it was 7-1 Central and the Trojans weren't finished as they scored two more runs in the last of the sixth off relief pitcher, Brandon Tant to make it 9-1.
Garner built some momentum in their last at bat as they loaded the bases against Heath Bowers and scored a run as Will Norris singled Brett Bailey home, but it was too little too late as Garner fell 9-2 at Harnett Central.
The Trojans are back in action on Friday night when they travel to Pine Forest in the first round of the State Playoffs, the game will be played at Methodist College and is slated for a 7:00 first pitch.
JV Trojans Blast Central
Coach Nelson and the JV Trojans completed a very impressive regular season as they blasted Harnett Central 14-0 in five innings.
With the win, the JV Trojans finish the season at 15-3 overall and 10-1 in the league.
Congratulations to Coach Nelson and the Trojans on a great season!
Baseball closes regular season with loss
