to claim conference’s
top spot in 1A playoffs
BURGAW - Chad Malpass pitched a two- hitter and belted out two doubles and a single Friday night in helping pace the East Columbus Gators to an 8-5 Waccamaw 1A-2A Conference baseball victory over the host Pender Patriots.
The win assured Coach Karl Bracey’s Gators of the conference’s top 1A berth in the state playoffs, which will open Friday. The Gators, who will close regular-season play tonight at 7 against South Brunswick have a 6-5 conference record and an 11-9 season mark.
Forrest Steed, Demetrius McKelvie and Bobby Pierce each had two hits for the Gators,who took control of the game with three rus inthe sixth inning. East Columbus has 12 hits in all in taking its second win of the season over the Patriots.
Chris Barnes had a double for Pender, whose conference record dropped to 1-10. The Patriots will close their season Tuesday against South South Brunswick.
| E. Columbus |
021
|
203
|
0
|
-
|
8
|
12
|
0
|
| Pender |
102
|
100
|
0
|
-
|
5
|
2
|
2
|
Malpass and Williamson; Teachey, Barnes (6) and Greenough.