Late Surge Helps Trojans Swarm Yellow Jackets

WEB CAST.

Garner was riding high after their 4-2 win over Holly Springs Thursday night and thankfully for the Trojans, that momentum carried over to Friday afternoon as Garner took on Lee County High School at Western Harnett High School, and thanks to a late inning offensive surge, Garner routed Lee Co. 11-4.

The Trojans gave the ball to senior pitcher, Matt Powell and for the first two plus innings, Powell pitched outstanding, and the Garner offense gave Powell a early lead as they pushed across the first run of the game in the top of the third.

With two outs, Jesse Fisher drew a walk an after another walk to Alec Hulmes, CJ Schmitt laced a single to left to give Garner a early 1-0 lead.

That lead didn't last long as Garner gave away two runs in the bottom of the frame as the first three batters reached against Powell and after giving up a pair of runs, Powell was lifted in favor of Alec Hulmes who came in and was lights out for the final five innings.

Garner would regain the lead for good in the top of the fifth as the Yellow Jackets went into the bullpen and the Lee Co. reliever, Pat Oldham was greeted very rudely on Good Friday as Jared Newbry began the inning with a line drive single that hugged the third base line. Following a Jesse Fisher sacrifice bunt, Garner was down to their final out of the inning as Hulmes flew out to center. That brought up the Trojan catcher CJ Schmitt who continued his career day at the dish with a line drive double to left field to plate Newbry and tie the game at two.

The next hitter was Aquail Sanders who also laced a line drive double to left and give Garner a lead they would not relinquish as it was 3-2 Garner heading to the sixth.

In the sixth inning, the Trojans really opened the game up. The first three Garner hitters in the inning reached base with infield singles which loaded the bases with one out for the top of the line up.

With the pond full of ducks, Jesse Fisher roped a two-run double to left. That was followed two batters later as CJ Schmitt again came to the plate and sent a 1-2 pitch to deep left field and over the wall for a two run home run. The home run was the fourth home run of the year for Schmitt and the fourth RBI's of the day for the Garner catcher. Once the dust had settled in the sixth, the Trojans sent 10 men to the plate and put six runs on the board.

Each team would add a couple of runs in the final inning as the Trojans (4-9) picked up the 11-4 win over Lee County (5-6).

Thanks to an OUTSTANDING offensive effort from the Trojans and a great job on the mound by Alec Hulmes Garner is in prime position going into the final day of the Four Oaks Bank Tri-9 Challenge as the Trojans will be back in action Saturday at 4:00 at Apex.