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Flynt’s ‘brace’ leads 3-1 Watauga win

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Flynt’s ‘brace’ leads 3-1 Watauga win

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Two goals by Morgan Flynt and another by Savannah Rogers were enough for host Watauga to overcome the Alexander Central women’s soccer team on April 4, 3-1, in a rough-and-tumble affair.

“We knew coming into the game that Alexander was going to be the most physical team in our conference,” said Pioneer head coach Chris Tarnowski after the match, “and this game was about weathering that challenge and keeping our heads, to play our game. We’re really proud of the players for standing up to the challenge and sticking together for 80 minutes, while keeping their composure. It was a whole team effort and we’re really proud of the whole team.”

Flynt was also credited with an assist on Rogers’ goal, while Savannah Duvall picked up an assist on the afternoon as well.

Now with a four-game winning streak, Watauga (5-3-1 overall, 2-0 Northwestern Conference) will look to add to the momentum on April 8 when they travel to Lenoir and face Hibriten (7-3-2, 2-0), a Northwestern Conference contender sharing first place honors with the Pioneers.

In the evening curtain-raiser, Watauga’s junior varsity battled to a 1-1 with the Cougars JV squad. Lindsay Wade scored the goal, with an assist by Lilly Wilson.

 

South Caldwell strands Watauga in 7-6 win

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South Caldwell strands Watauga in 7-6 win

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — High drama marked Watauga’s baseball home stand vs. Northwestern Conference 4A rival South Caldwell, right until the very end. With two outs in the bottom of the 7th inning, the bases loaded and having cut their deficit to the visiting Spartans to just a single run, the Pioneers couldn’t quite get the job done for a walk-off win.

Jake Blanton, Watauga’s best hitter this season made contact but his long, fly ball to centerfield fell into the waiting glove of the visitors’ Kori McCall for the third and final out, sealing South Caldwell’s 7-6 victory.

Each team committed three errors and Watauga rapped out a total of 12 hits compared to South Caldwell’s five, but the Spartans were more proficient in capitalizing on their scoring opportunities.

McCall hit a shot in the top of the 6th inning that cleared the left field fence for a 2-run home run and the Spartan cause was aided by timely, run-scoring doubles by junior catcher John Paul Smith and senior right fielder Walker Hartley to take advantage of opportunities.

With South Caldwell leading, 7-4, when the Pioneers came to the plate for their final at-bats, things started to look promising for the home team fans when Dillon Zaragoza and JJ Everett put runners on first and third with back-to-back singles.Then successive singles by Pioneer catcher Chase Gillin and second baseman Evan Burroughs scored Zaragoza and Everett, closing the deficit to 7-6. Senior shortstop Maddox Greene promptly lined a single to left, loading the bases. A single would have at least brought in the tying run, and possibly even the winning run, but on this night it was not to be.

KEY PEFORMERS

  • SC – Kori McCall: 1-2, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 1 walk, HR
  • SC – John Paul Smith: 1-2, 4 RBIs, double, hit by pitch, sacrifice fly
  • SC – Walker Hartley: 1-2, 3 runs scored, 2 walks, double, 2 stolen bases
  • WAT – Daniel Jones: 4 innings pitched, 2 runs on 2 hits, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk
  • WAT – Chase Gillin: 3-3, 2 RBIs, 1 walk
  • WAT – Dillon Zaragoza: 3-4, 1 run scored, 2 stolen bases
  • WAT – Jake Blanton: 1-4, 1 RBI, double, sacrifice fly
  • WAT – Maddox Greene: 1-3, 1 run scored, 1 walk, hit by pitch, 2 stolen bases
  • WAT – JT Cook: 0-4, 2 RBIs
  • WAT – Evan Burroughs: 1-5, 1 run scored, 1 RBI
  • WAT – JJ Everett: 1-3, 1 run scored, stolen base
  • WAT – Cade Keller: 2-4, 1 run scored, double

OBITUARY: George Ball, 90

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OBITUARY: George Ball, 90

George Michael Ball: Born: May 3, 1934 | Died: March 8, 2025

George Michael Ball, a founding partner of Philpott Ball & Company, a boutique investment bank serving the defense, aerospace and technology markets for more than thirty years, died at his home in Charlotte, NC, March 8, 2025, after a prolonged illness. He was 90 years old.

Mr. Ball was born on Long Island and ran track in high school. As a senior, he ran his fastest mile, 4 minutes 45 seconds, in front of a college recruiter from Yale. He attended Yale on an ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1956 from Yale College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Administration from Yale University’s Sheffield Scientific School.

He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps after graduation, completed basic training in Quantico, Virginia and proceeded to the United States Navy’s flight school in Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, known as the Cradle of Naval Aviation.

Mr. Ball served as a Marine Aviator for four years, achieving the rank of Captain, and flew numerous aircraft, single and multi-engine, including the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, which had a range of 1,827 miles and a top speed of 290 miles an hour.

“Flying was wonderful,” he recalled a few years ago. He was based in Morocco and did most of his flying into France, Italy, Greece and North Africa. He recalled one mission when he was sent to Rome to pick up a beautiful green convertible Ferrari to be delivered to Mohammed al-Khamis bin Yusef bin Hassan al-Alawi, the first King of Morocco, who served from 1957 to 1961. Mr. Ball and his Major loaded the Ferrari into the Flying Boxcar, strapped it down, and flew back to their base in Morocco, landing at 11:00 at night. The Major, who was later diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, got out of the plane, jumped into the Ferrari and drove it up and down the runway in the dark until Mr. Ball and the landing crew were able to wrest control of the vehicle.

Mr. Ball recalled once flying into Venice when they were waved off from landing at the last minute and the same Major suddenly put the flaps down, nearly crashing the plane into the runway. Mr. Ball was able to take control of the plane but needed emergency power to keep the plane in the air.

Mr. Ball was honorably discharged four months later and initially joined Shell Oil Company before starting his 50-year career in investment banking with Reynolds and Company and Kidder Peabody in Boston in 1961.

In 1969 he moved to New York to join Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette as one of its early members. Mr. Ball rose to the position of Managing Director of DLJ, which was the first Wall Street investment banking firm to be publicly traded and grew to employ more than 11,000 people. Credit Suisse acquired DLJ for 11.5 billion dollars in 2000.

In 1983, Mr. Ball moved to Charlotte to serve as Chief Executive Officer of a management buyout that he had led at DLJ of the North Carolina grocery chain, Three Guys.

Mr. Ball returned to Investment Banking in 1988, starting George Ball and Company, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm focused on aerospace, defense and industrial companies. J. Robert Philpott, Jr. and Mr. Ball founded Philpott Ball & Company in 1991. The firm became Philpott Ball and Werner with the addition of Ted Werner in 2000 when the firm opened a Boston office.

As Chairman and Managing Director of Philpott Ball and Werner, Mr. Ball oversaw the boutique investment banking firm that has advised more than 100 mergers and acquisitions, completed transactions with cumulative value in the multi-billions of dollars that became one of the longest tenured firms serving defense, aerospace and technology markets all over North America. He also served on numerous Boards of Directors throughout his career including EDO Corporation, BB Walker, Juno Lighting and Sterner Lighting. Mr. Ball retired in 2012 but remained on the Executive Advisory Board of Philpott, Ball and Werner.

After his own recovery, Mr. Ball supported others by serving on the board of trustees of the Little Hill Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Alcoholics in Blairstown, NJ. His tenure corresponded to a challenging time for Alina Lodge and its foundation. He provided leadership in rebuilding the board and overseeing the transition to a treatment program that embraced the current thinking on how best to treat addiction. He ultimately served as President of the Board from 2000 to 2003.

In his hometown of Blowing Rock NC, he supported the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, serving on the Executive Committee as treasurer from 2015 to 2018 and on the Finance Committee for several years. He also served as chair of the Finance Committee for the Blowing Rock Community Foundation from 2012 to 2022. As the Foundation’s mission statement quotes Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Mr. Ball is survived by his wife, Barbara Ball, his children James Ball, Tracy Ball Greer, Alex Werner and Ted Werner, and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on May 17, 2025, at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, Blowing Rock, N.C.

Beam me up, Scotty!

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Beam me up, Scotty!

By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — I learned a new word today: macadamize.

It was between 1896 and 1910 that the then sitting Blowing Rock mayor and town commissioners made two decisions that changed the trajectory of the village’s future: requiring livestock to be fenced in and “macadamizing” Main Street and some of the side streets. And they were prompted by a single, very important macroeconomic development: dramatically improved access.

The U.S. Department of Transportation mission statement says it quite clearly:

Investment in transportation infrastructure, such as roads, ports, railways, and public transit systems, facilitates the efficient movement of goods and people, reducing costs for businesses and individuals alike. Enhanced transportation networks can attract investment and spur economic growth by improving connectivity among regions, fostering trade, and creating job opportunities. Reliable, clean, and modern transportation systems increase productivity by allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively. Moreover, equitable, clean, and affordable transportation options will enhance economic competitiveness, mobility of goods and services and more readily enable underserved populations to access employment opportunities. 

Until and during construction of the Lenoir-Blowing Rock Turnpike in 1847, getting up the mountain from Lenoir was treacherous, at best, and usually more than a day’s ride on horseback, according to accounts published by the Blowing Rock Historical Society (BRHS). Even after the Turnpike was finished as a winding dirt track up the mountain, the trip was a full day’s ride, even if somewhat easier. BRHS notes that even though travelers had paid a toll, they were sometimes required to help pull or push wagons or buggies through muddy conditions, “… or walk beside to give the horses some rest.”

They were prompted by a very important macroeconomic development: dramatically improved access.

In April 1910, the Watauga Democrat reported the Lenoir-Blowing Rock Turnpike had a new surface, that it had been “macadamized,” an early form of paving involving crushed and compressed rock. The process was invented by Scottish civil engineer John L. MacAdam in the early 1800s and the construction method was credited “… as the greatest advance in road construction since Roman times.”  (A Skempton, A. W., ed. {2002}. A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: 1500–1830.)

Macadamization was used on the Lenoir-Blowing Rock Turnpike to make it easier for automobiles and trucks to make the journey up and down the mountain. According to the aforementioned Democrat article, the reporter made the trip in four hours rather than the full day it previously required.

Even the dirt road of the earliest Turnpike improved access to the High Country. By 1896, the monies flooding into the local economy from tourism were reason enough to prompt town government to proclaim, in effect, “We can’t have farmers’ livestock running free on Main Street. Farmers need to fence in their hogs, cattle, sheep and horses.”

And after Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908 as the first mass produced, affordable automobile, the demand for improved road conditions only grew — not only for the road up the mountain from Lenoir, but in village streets, too. It wasn’t long after the ordinance was passed requiring livestock to be fenced in that the tourism impact struck again: Main Street in town and some of the side streets needed to be paved.

“The streets were macadamized around 1910,” explained local historian Steve Sudderth in an interview with Blowing Rock News. “I recall (former Blowing Rocket editor) Jerry Burns dug up an article from the Watauga Democrat quoting Mayor Joe Clarke as he lamented he soon wouldn’t be able to ride his horse around town because the streets were being paved!”

Over the years, much of the economic development in and around Blowing Rock has not only revolved around tourism — but evolved because of tourism. As transportation access  improved, those tourism-derived market demands only intensified.

Now the trip is only a 20-minute jaunt, a far cry from the day-long adventures of yesteryear.

When the Lenoir-Blowing Rock Turnpike was finished in the mid-1800s, lowlanders began to see Blowing Rock as a cool (in every sense of the word) alternative to sweltering summers in the Piedmont and coastal plains. That embrace accelerated in 1910 when the Turnpike was macadamized to accommodate automobiles and the trip shortened to a mere four hours.

Before U.S. 321 was constructed, NC 17 wound its way up the mountain from Lenoir, eventually rendering the Lenoir-Blowing Rock Turnpike obsolete. Even later, U.S. 321 replaced NC 17.

Improvements in U.S. 321, principally widening to four lanes both north and south of Blowing Rock, further enhanced transportation access in the last couple of decades. Now it is only about a 20-minute jaunt down the mountain to Lenoir, a far cry from the day-long adventures of yesteryear.

The transportation improvements at least contributed to increased market demand by people wanting to escape the oppressive heat of the lowlands, experience a mountain adventure, or attend a game at App State, among other purposes. COVID-19 amplified the benefits of living and playing in the great outdoors, too.

While a number of hotels and motels in Blowing Rock have been renovated, we’ve also seen new tourism-driven lodging options spring up, including smaller facilities like The Manor and The Getaway, as well as the larger, full-scale Embers Hotel.

The trend is continuing, with some of the largest real estate developments in town history being planned or underway.

  • The Green Park Inn – A redevelopment plan was approved by Blowing Rock’s board of commissioners at the regular meeting of Town Council on February 11. As shown, the property will be repurposed to include a downsized hotel (down from 88 to 40 rooms with restaurant and wedding venue), eight duplex cottages (to be rented by the hotel), and 12 condominiums.
  • Shoppes on the Parkway – A well-attended “neighborhood meeting” convened at Town Hall on Feb. 13, with presentations by representatives of the property owners and developers for a “mixed use” (residential and commercial) project. While Phase I is what will initially be submitted to the Planning Board and Town Council for approval, conceptual renderings for the entire project were offered, including for residential, commercial, parking and greenspace considerations. With some long-term leases by current tenants still in effect, it appears this is a more complicated development that will be done in phases, over several years.
  • New Hotel – We understand that a new hotel is being planned for the acreage on Valley Boulevard, between the current Holiday Inn and the Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery.
  • New Hotel, Potentially Mixed Use – We understand that plans are being readied for the 7.35 acre parcel on North Main Street, near the entrance to Chetola Mountain Resort.

With these new development projects and others sure to come, we are left to wonder about the evolution of Blowing Rock life and times well into the future. Even more technological advances are sure to come in transportation, improving access even more. Stuff under development in different corners of the technology world: flying taxis; hyperloops pods reaching speeds of 700 mile per hour; magnetic, levitated trains; hypersonic jets; as well as autonomous cars and trucks.

Any of these would likely shorten the time required to get to Blowing Rock, improving access whether from Boone or Lenoir. If it only takes five minutes each way, why not meet a business associate for lunch at Bistro Roca, a buddy for coffee at Bald Guy, or enjoy happy hour at Embers, listening to some live music?

Teleportation (the act of transporting matter or energy from one place to another without traveling the physical distance between them) is Star Trek stuff of science fiction today but, in the centuries gone by, a lot of inventors — from Leonardo da Vinci to Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs — have been led by their science fiction-driven imaginations, wondering what could be.

Mmmmm… what will Blowing Rock look like when just anyone can say, “Beam me up to Blowing Rock, Scotty!”

 

Pioneers win pitchers’ duel @ Huskies, 2-0

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By David Rogers. WEST JEFFERSON, N.C. — Everett Gryder and Evan Burroughs combined for a 3-hit shutout, Watauga prevailing over Ashe County on April 1, 2-0.

Kye Pennington, the Huskies’ senior lefthander, nearly matched the Watauga pitching effort in giving up two runs on four hits in six innings of work.

Ultimately, though, Burroughs’ speed around the base paths proved golden, with two stolen bases and two runs scored. What broke things open for the Pioneers in the top half of the third inning was a triple by Jake Blanton, which scored Burroughs. After stealing both second base and third base in the top of the 5th inning, Burroughs again scored on defensive lapses by the Huskies.

Now 7-7 overall and 3-2 in Northwestern Conference play, the Pioneers next host South Caldwell on Friday, April 4.

KEY PERFORMERS

  • WAT – Everett Gryder: 5 innings pitched, no runs on 2 hits, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
  • WAT – Evan Burroughs: 2 innings pitched, no runs on 1 hit, no walks, 4 strikeouts. As batter, 0-3, 2 runs scored, 2 stolen bases, 1 walk, 1 fielder’s choice
  • WAT – Jake Blanton: 1-2, 1 RBI, triple, 1 hit by pitch
  • ASHE – Kye Pennington: 7 innings pitched, allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts

Watauga WSOC storms past South Caldwell, 7-0

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Watauga WSOC storms past South Caldwell, 7-0

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was a warm and clear sunny day on April 1, but there was a storm brewing at Jack Groce Stadium. The Watauga women’s soccer teams blew past Northwestern Conference rival South Caldwell, 7-0 (varsity) and 7-1 (junior varsity).

VARSITY – No foolin’ around

It might have been April Fool’s Day for the mainstream world but the Pioneers weren’t foolin’ around in this one. By the time 12 minutes had ticked off the game clock, Watauga had already scored three goals and were dominating play, maintaining possession largely in their attacking third of the field.

Sequence

Watauga senior Morgan Flynt attacks from the right side, sending the ball across the face of the net and under the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands for a Watauga goal on April 1. Photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Just minutes into the game, the Pioneers were awarded a penalty kick and sophomore  Sammy Morgan lived up to her jersey number (10) to rip the ball perfectly past the Spartan goalkeeper to draw the proverbial first blood for the home team. By the time senior forward Morgan Flynt laced a shot across the face of the Spartan-defended goal and under the outstretched arms of a diving goalkeeper for the Pioneers’ third goal, the outcome was all but decided if only Watauga would keep up the pressure and attack.

Which they did, including with plenty of valuable field time for starters and reserves alike.

“It was great to pick up our first conference win last night and get the back half of our season started on the right foot,” said Watauga head coach Chris Tarnowski after the game. “Spreading the scoring around to six different players really showcases just how hard the entire team has been working over the past few weeks, and highlights their unselfish play. This group is so supportive of one another and really focused on the important aspects of the sport: empathy and trust for their teammates, integrity on and off the field, and a team-first attitude. We’re really proud as coaches of their progression since the start of the season.”

Watauga freshman Mary Flynn Sevensky (16) attacks the South Caldwell goal from the left side in the Pioneers’ 7-0 win over South Caldwell on April 1. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Goals Scored:

    • Savannah Rogers (2 goals scored)
    • Savannah Duvall (1)
    • Sammy Morgan (1)
    • Morgan Flynt (1)
    • Chloe Weigl (1)
    • Emma Raymond (1)

Assists:

    • Savannah Rogers (3)
    • Morgan Flynt (1)
    • Emma Raymond (1)
    • Chloe Weigl (1)

JUNIOR VARSITY – Still got it

Not having played a game in the preceding two weeks because of weather and varsity-only scheduling decisions, the Watauga Junior Varsity head coach Jamie Raymond wondered how her charges would respond in the Northwestern Conference opener in hosting the South Caldwell JVs. Call the Pioneer JVs’ 7-1 curtain-raiser win a precursor for the 7-0 varsity performance that followed.

“The improvement that we have seen in these young athletes is both startling and gratifying,” said Raymond. “Some of our players have never played soccer before, so their lack of understanding the importance of moving the ball around early in the season was understandable. But the progress they have made as a team is remarkable and I have to give a lot of credit to the time we have spent watching film and with the varsity players explaining in their own words how they move the ball around to keep possession and attack.”

Goals:

    • Lilly Wilson (3)
    • Lindsay Wade (3)
    • Emma McKibbin (1)

Assists:

    • Lilly Wilson (2)
    • Parker Strickland (1)
    • Marlene Alcaraz (1)

Watauga Varsity is now 4-3-1 overall, 1-0 in Northwestern Conference play. The Pioneer JVs are 3-2-1 overall, 1-0 in NWC. Next up for both teams are home matches vs. 4A rival Alexander Central on Friday, April 4. The JV curtain-raiser is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with the varsity nightcap to follow.

Mountaineers win weekend series with doubleheader split vs. Old Dominion

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Mountaineers win weekend series with doubleheader split vs. Old Dominion

By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. – App State baseball won its weekend series against Old Dominion with a doubleheader split on Saturday, winning the first game 6-1 before dropping the finale 7-6 at Smith Stadium.

Bradely Wilson pitches for App State vs. Old Dominion on March 29. The graduate student retired the last 17 Monarch batters of the ballgame. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

Game 1

Bradley Wilson retired the final 17 hitters of the ballgame, throwing a career-high seven scoreless innings to help App State to a 6-1 victory.

Jake Beaty made his first career start for the Mountaineers (14-13, 5-4), pitching two innings and allowing one run while striking out three.

Wilson entered in a 1-1 game in the third inning and didn’t yield a run the rest of the way, conceding just three baserunners – all singles. Much like Caleb Cross on Friday night, Wilson pitched to contact, and the App State defense did the rest. Wilson recorded three strikeouts, to go along with 10 groundouts and eight flyouts. He earned his first victory of the season, lowering his ERA to 3.13 on the season.

App State second baseman slides into second base on March 29, vs. Old Dominion. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

The Mountaineers grabbed the lead in the third inning. Joseph Zamora singled through the right side and Kameron Miller followed with a laser home run over the center field fence to give App State a 3-1 advantage.

The Black and Gold added some insurance in the fifth. Zamora singled with one out, advanced to second on a stolen base, third on a wild pitch, and came into score on an RBI single from Miller. Later in the inning, Juan Correa belted his league-leading 10th home run of the season to push the advantage to 6-1.

Game 2

App State lost a back-and-forth contest in game two, giving up two runs to the Monarchs (8-17, 4-5) in the top of the ninth inning after tying the game in the bottom of the eighth.

Riley Luft hit his first career home run as part of a career-high four-hit game. Braxton Church, Graham Smiley and Juan Correa also registered multi-hit efforts.

Photo by Joseph Chapman, courtesy of App State Sports

App State went just 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners on base in the ballgame.

Carter Boyd took over on the mound in the first inning and gave up just one run across 2.1 innings of work. Collin Welch, Reyn Watson and Max Tramontana combined to work three scoreless innings, keeping the Monarchs off the board from the fifth through seventh innings.

App State will be back in action on Tuesday as the team travels to Cullowhee, N.C. to face Western Carolina at 5 p.m.

 

Mountaineers jump on Monarchs early behind Cross’ 7-inning near-gem

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Mountaineers jump on Monarchs early behind Cross’ 7-inning near-gem

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With redshirt senior Caleb Cross tossing seven hitless and scoreless innings as App State’s starting pitcher vs. Old Dominion in Game 1 of the 3-game weekend series, the Mountaineers got all the offensive production they needed in cruising to a 9-4 Sun Belt Conference win at Smith Stadium on March 28, in front of 802 fans in bright, sunny weather.

With Cross mowing down the Monarch batters — the only Old Dominion baserunners were three walks scattered across Cross’ seven innings of work — App State manufactured three runs in the bottom half of the second, one in the bottom of the 4th inning, then exploded for five runs in the 7th and 8th frames.

App State catcher Braxton Church tags out the Old Dominion runner at the plate on March 28. Photo by David Katzenmaier, courtesy of App State Athletics

I trusted the process… I let them hit the ball and let the defense work behind me.

Of his pitching performance, which only included two strikeouts, Cross said afterwards, “I just trusted the process, trusted the pitch plan and went straight at them. I let them hit the ball and let the defense work behind me.”

Redshirt junior Jordan Fisher came on in relief for the final two innings after Cross struck out the Monarchs’ designated hitter Efrain Morales on pitch No. 112. While Fisher had a rocky start, giving up four runs on three hits with a walk and two hit batters, the 6-4, 221 lb. right hander from East Lincoln HS settled down to strike out Monarch third baseman Tyler Zedalis on just four pitches to end the game.

Cross (3-1) was credited with the win, while Old Dominion’s Ben Moore (1-3) picked up the loss.

App State freshman Tyler Lichtenberger connects for the first home run of his college career on March 28 vs. Old Dominion. Photo by David Katzenmaier, courtesy of App State Athletics

App State’s offensive production featured a pair of home runs, one each off the bats of Kameron Miller and Tyler Lichtenberger. For sophomore first baseman Miller, it was the No. 6 dinger of the young season. For freshman infielder Lichtenberger, it was the first HR of  his career.

App State catcher Braxton Church rapped out his 10th double of the year and stole his fifth base. Lichtenberger and center fielder Charlie Evans also were credited with doubles among the Mountaineers’ 14-hit power display.

App State and Old Dominion meet again for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m, and 6 p.m.

Jones sizzles on the mound, Keller and Blanton hot at the plate in Pioneers’ 14-1 run-rule win

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Jones sizzles on the mound, Keller and Blanton hot at the plate in Pioneers’ 14-1 run-rule win

By David Rogers. MORGANTON, N.C. — Allowing just one run on four hits while striking out eight Freedom batters over five innings, Watauga pitcher Daniel Jones did his part in the Pioneers’ run-rule win, 14-1, over the Patriots on March 28. Four-hit batting performances each by Jake Blanton and Cade Keller led a multi-faceted, offensive barrage that did the rest.

Freedom got on the board in the bottom half of the first inning to draw the proverbial first blood, but the Pioneers pulled even at 1-1 in the top of the third, then exploded for 13 runs in the fourth and fifth innings while Jones kept mowing down the Patriot batters.

After Dillon Zaragoza grounded out to first in the top of the fourth inning, the Pioneers got three consecutive singles from JJ Everett, Keller, and Brett Vannoy ahead of a double to left by Walker Ransdell. Everett scored on Vannoy’s single and Keller crossed home plate on Ransdell’s two-bagger. A sacrifice ground out by Evan Burroughs pushed David Pastusic (a courtesy runner for Vannoy) home and moved Ransdell to an even better scoring position at third base. Ransdell then scored on a wild pitch with Maddox Greene at the plate before the senior shortstop eventually drew a walk. Greene advanced to third base on a Blanton single, then scored on another wild pitch by the Patriots’ sophomore hurler, Alex Wall.

Wall got out of the inning without further damage, but after four innings the visitors from Boone had a comfortable lead, 6-1.

Three consecutive strikes by Jones cooled off any Freedom thoughts of retaliation in the bottom of the fourth, setting the stage for a final 8-run outburst by the Pioneers in the top of the fifth. Consecutive singles by Everett, Keller and Vannoy produced one run, then a brilliant sacrifice bunt by Watauga catcher Chase Gillin moved Keller and Vannoy to better scoring position at 3rd base and 2nd base, respectively. A walk to Burroughs loaded the bases and yet another walk issued to Greene forced home Keller, extending the Pioneer lead to 8-1.

But with the bases loaded and only one out, Watauga wasn’t done. Blanton ripped the ball up the middle for a single, scoring Burroughs and Vannoy. Then JT Cook lashed a double to the centerfield fence, scoring Greene for an 11-1 Pioneer lead. Zaragoza piled on with an RBI single to left, scoring Blanton, before Everett lofted a sacrifice fly to right for only the second out of the inning, with Cook tagging up at third base and jogging home. After Zaragoza alertly stole second base to put himself in scoring position, Keller sent a fly ball through the gap in right field for a double, Zaragoza taking advantage for the 14th and final run of the game.

Jones finished off the Patriots in the bottom half of the fifth, the 13-run lead triggering the NCHSAA run-rule win after five innings are in the books.

On Saturday, March 29, Watauga travels to Davie County for a 1 p.m. tilt, before another road trip on April 1 to challenge Ashe County.

KEY PERFORMERS

  • WAT – Jake Blanton: 4-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, 3 stolen bases
  • WAT – Cade Keller: 3-4, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, double
  • WAT – Brett Vannoy: 2-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs
  • WAT – Walker Ransdell: 1-1, 1 run scored, 1 RBI. double
  • WAT – Dillon Zaragoza: 2-4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, stolen base
  • WAT – JT Cook: 1-3, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, 1 walk, double
  • WAT – Maddox Greene: 0-1, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, sacrifice fly
  • WAT – Evan Burroughs: 1-3, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 2 stolen bases

Watauga WSOC tunes up for NWC play with 9-0 win over Ledford

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Watauga WSOC tunes up for NWC play with 9-0 win over Ledford

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A week out from Northwestern Conference play, the Watauga women’s soccer team seems to be “gelling” at just the right time. A 9-0 shellacking of visiting Ledford on March 28 at Jack Groce Stadium is proof positive.

Savannah Rogers’ “hat trick” (three goals scored) led a trio of Pioneers with multiple goals in the match, a group that also included Rebekah Riley (2 goals) and Savannah Duvall (2). Morgan Flynt and Scarlett Rupp also found the back of the net for Watauga, with one goal each. Keaton Wuest was credited with two assists, with additional assists contributed by Savannah Duvall and Mary-Flynn Sevensky.

After a tough and demanding non conference schedule, including TC Roberson, Asheville, and Saint Stephens, it’s nice to see our team coming together as we enter our conference schedule next week.” said Watauga head coach Chris Tarnowski. “It’s a talented and young team that is really learning how best to work together on the field, but as coaches we’re most proud of how positive and supportive they are of one another. It’s a team of caring individuals who want the best for the entire group and their teammates, which makes them an absolute dream to coach. We always say we want to help develop good people before we develop good players, and this group has really taken that message to heart.”

The Pioneers will have no time to fool around with three Northwestern Conference tilts within a week’s time beginning on Tuesday, April 1, vs. South Caldwell (6-2-1 overall, 0-0-1 in conference), then Friday, April 4 vs. Alexander Central (1-3-4, 0-0-1) before going on the road to face an always tough Hibriten (5-3-2, 0-0) on April 8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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