By DAN BISER

On the strength of a seven-run fourth inning, host Whiteville defeated two-time defending champion Nakina 9-4 Friday for the championship of the District 2 Dixie Youth Baseball (ages 8-under) Coach-Pitch Tournament at Harritan Field.

Whiteville, which got two hits each by Ryan Dudney, Michael Hines and Justin Spivey along with some clutch defensive plays, completed the tournament with a 5-1 record.

Whiteville, making its first appearance in district Coach-Pitch play, decided before the tournament that it would decline a berth in state tournament play if it qualified.

Nakina will make its third straight trip to the state Coach-Pitch Tournament, which will begin this Friday at Tryon. Riegelwood received the district’s second berth in state tournament play with its 9-5 win over Bladen American on Thursday.

Trailing 4-2 in the fourth inning, Whiteville got hits by Taylor Smith, Turner Brown, Hunter Cartrette, Zack Pait, Ryan Dudney (a double) Michael Hines Nathan Powell, T.J. Graham and Justin Spivey to gain a 9-3 advantage.

Whiteville held Nakina scoreless in the final three innings behind two big double plays. The first occurred in the fourth inning when Pait grabbed grounder at third, fired to Brown and second and Brown made the pivot throw to Cartrette at first to complete the double-play.

In the sixth inning, centerfielder Hunter Harwood made a diving catch of a shot off the bat of Nakina’s Matthew Register and then made the throw to first to double up the base-runner.

Brandon Long knocked a pair of doubles for Nakina. Matthew Register, Garrett Wilson, Landon Stocks and Dalton Strickland each had two hits.

Nakina and Riegelwood are scheduled to arrive in Tryon (located near Interstate 26 between Hendersonville and Spartanburg, S.C.) on Friday. Opening ceremonies will be held Friday night with tournament play set to begin Saturday.

Nakina will take on South Stanly Saturday at 11 a.m., and Riegelwood will go against the District 4B champion at 12:30 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Whiteville 13
Nakina 9
Whiteville extended the tournament to limit on Thursday as it used a six-run fifth inning to help gain a 13-9 victory.

It marked the first tournament loss for Nakina, which was held scoreless in the second, third and sixth innings.

Ryan Dudney had three hits to pace Whiteville, followed by Zack Pait. Hunter Harwood, Nathan Powell, Justin Spivey, Noah Griffin and Trevor Stubbs with two hits each. Hines had a two-run double to key a four-run first inning.

Michael Hines had a double while Taylor Smith, Hunter Cartrette, Wesley Thompson and T.J. Graham each had a single.

Matthew Register led the Nakina batting order with three hits, and Brandon Long, Garrett Wilson, Noah Ward had two hits each. Also getting hits for Nakina were Ryan Brinson, Austin Harrelson. Matthew Worley and Dalton Strickland.

Riegelwood 9
Bladen American 5
Behind the strong hitting of Austin Little, Forrest Kelly and Travis Squires, Riegelwood claimed District 9’s second berth in the state Coach-Pitch Tournament, Kelly and Squires each had three hits while Kelly and Austin Little each scored three runs. Kelly had a double as Riegelwood finished tournament play with three wins and two losses.
Ray Jones had three hits to lead Bladen American, and Daniel Elkins had two hits.