Photo by Michelle Lindstrand
Staff report
BONLEE — Will Dawkins smashed a game-winning three-run homer in the top of the fifth and final inning and the Rockingham 9-10 All-Stars used a defensive stand to clinch the 5-4 victory Saturday in the Triple A Dixie Youth tournament in Bonlee.
The Rockingham squad, coached by Rockingham Police Department’s Sgt. Glen Harris, next plays at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Much of Saturday’s slate of games was rained out and will be played Sunday.
Down 4-2 in the top of the fifth, Ethan Clayton and Ashton Phifer reached base before Dawkins blasted his home run.
In the bottom of the fifth, it appeared as if West Stanly was about to take the momentum — and the game. The home team had runners on second and third with two outs and the batter launched a fly ball to the outfield. Rockingham’s position player fielded the ball and hit his cutoff man — Phifer — who blazed a throw to home in time for the catcher to apply the tag and record the final out.
It was a pitchers’ duel for two innings. Rockingham notched a digit on the scoreboard first with two runs in the top of the third. West Stanly cut its deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the third. In the fourth, West Stanly scored three times to take a 4-2 lead.
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