By DAN BISER
Sports Editor

VINEGAR HILL - Senior pitcher Robbie Penny pushed his season strike-out total over the 100 mark Tuesday night while throwing a one-hitter in the Whiteville Wolfpack’s 9-0 Waccamaw Conference baseball victory over the host South Columbus Stallions.

Penny struck out 16 batters to put his season mound record at 8-0 and also had three of the Wolfpack’s 12 hits, including a pair of doubles.
Whiteville, which scored seven runs in the fourth inning, put its Waccamaw Conference record at 6-0 and its overall record at 14-3.

South Columbus saw its record fall to 3-2 in the conference and 10-6 for the season.

“We can pretty much count on a good outing from Robbie,” said Whiteville coach Brett Harwood. “He threw a strong game and came across with some more big hits.”

Harwood said it was good seeing his squad bounce back from a disappointing 4-0 loss to West Columbus in last week’s finals of the Jiggs Powers Memorial Tournament.

“We came out a lot sharper and were ready to play,” Harwood said.

Penny carried a no-hitter to the seventh inning when South Columbus pinch-hitter Austin Lanier beat out an infield hit.

The entire Wolfpack starting line-up hit safely. Zach Stanley had two hits, including a double, while Charlie Gore and Chris Harris also doubled. Quan Gaddy, Lloyd Enzor, Tyrone McKoy, Trey Nye and Ben Deans added singles.

Ethan Ward took the pitching loss for South Columbus. Jeremy Harrelson and Pat Worley threw in relief.

Whiteville exploded for seven hits in its seven-run third inning, including a single and double by Penny.

Whiteville and South Columbus tied for the conference championship last season.

Whiteville will travel to play East Columbus Friday at 7 p.m.

Penny and Enzor; E. Ward, Harrelson (4), Worley (7) and Piver.