By DAN BISER

An unassisted double play by first baseman Doug Skipper with the bases loaded in the final inning salvaged a 2-1 victory for the South Columbus Stallions Monday in their opening round game against the West Bladen Knights in the Jiggs Powers Memorial Baseball Tournament at Legion Stadium.

In other opening round games, North Stanly romped past East Columbus 15-7 and West Columbus drilled Harrells Christian Academy 16-6.

The tournament had a two-hour interruption brought on by the heavy evening storm that ripped through Whiteville.

South Columbus 2
West Bladen 1

Holding a 2-0 lead in bottom of the seventh inning, West Bladen loaded the bases with a pair of walks and Adam Hardee’s second bunt single of the game. South Columbus’ Justin Creech, who had relieved starter Ethan Ward in sixth inning, struck out the next batter before the Knights brought a run home on a passed ball. South Columbus then intentionally walked Garrett Brisson to again the load the bases. Dixon Nance followed and lined a 1-2 pitch into the glove of Skipper at first base. Skipper then tagged first base to double up the runner for the final out.

Coach Willie Gore’s South Columbus team took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Charlie Gore led off with a single, took second on a passed ball and scored on a single by Ward. In the fifth inning, the Stallions’ Donovan Watts knocked a double down the leftfield line and scored moments later on a single by Creech.

Ward, who got credit for the mound victory, and Watts each had two hits. Landon Simmons had a double while Gore, Creech, and Dakota Piver had one hit each.

Brisson had a triple for West Bladen while Hardee had two hits. Losing pitcher Jonathan Benson and Jonathan Locklear also had hits for the Knights.

Ward, Creech (6) and Piver; Benson, Hill (6) and Wood.

North Stanly 15
East Columbus 7

North Stanly rapped out 17 hits and took advantage of several EC errors in its first-ever Jiggs Powers Tournament appearance.

East Columbus found some new life following the extended rain delay as it bounced back from an 11-1 deficit to score six runs in the fifth inning.

The Comets, who scored in every inning, were led at the plate by Justin Crowell who blasted a home run and two doubles. Jeremy Shaver and Jordan Sells also had three hits apiece. Adam Poplin and Andrew Love each had two hits.

Allen Bracey had two hits for the Gators while Caleb Andrews, Jonathan Reaves and Demetrius McKelvie each had a double. Alex Sasser, Mark Brisson, Chad Malpass and Alex Williamson also had hits.

ECHS head coach Karl Bracey was ejected in the third inning after disputing a run-scoring balk called against Gator starting pitcher Chad Malpass.

East Columbus was on the verge of being a victim of the 10-run rule as it went into the bottom of the fifth inning trailing 11-1. But the Gators came alive with six hits, including a two-run double by Reaves and a two-run single by Sasser to get back in the game.

Malpass, Brisson (4) and Williamson, Malpass (4); Ingram, Roberts (5) and Sells.

East Columbus 16
Harrells 6

West Columbus gained control of things from the outset, lighting up the scoreboard for eight runs in the second inning for a 12-0 lead.

The game was halted in the sixth inning by the 10-run rule.

The Vikings garnered 17 hits in claiming their 15th win of the season. Devon Brown, Ryan McCleney and Zack Andrews each had three hits. Brown had a double and scored four times while McCleney also doubled. Winning pitcher J.D. White and Brett Godwin had two hits each with White knocking a double and Godwin legging out a triple.

Daniel Britt, Timmy Brown, Stephen Nealey and Tanner Memory also had hits.

Timmy Brown relieved White on the mound on the fourth inning.

Harrells, which came into the game with a 14-3 record, scored four runs in the fourth inning on three walks and singles by Chris Norris and Jesse Lokken. Steven Paylor had a triple and scored for the Crusaders in the fifth inning.
Matt Hinkle was the losing pitcher.

Hinkle, Nance, (3), Godwin (4) and Butler; White, Brown (4) and Andrews.