BURGAW – Sophomore pitcher Ethan Ward threw a four-hitter and struck out 11 batters Thursday in South Columbus High School’s 12-2 Waccamaw 1A-2A Conference baseball victory over the host Pender Patriots.

Coach Willie Gore’s Stallions now stand at 3-0 in conference play and 8-3 overall. Pender’s conference record slipped to 0-4.

Charlie Gore had four hits and Jeremy Harrelson had three hits to help pace the Stallion batting order. Buster James added a home run as South Columbus registered its fifth straight win.

The Stallions will play their third straight conference road game Tuesday night when they travel to play South Brunswick at 7. The Stallions will play host to Trask on Friday.