Published: 12:00 AM, Sun May 27, 2012
Jack Britt loses Eastern regional Game 3 to Holly Springs, 3-1
HOLLY SPRINGS — Jack Britt had come from behind in its last at bat to win two of its last three games before finding itself down late at Holly Springs on Saturday. But the Buccaneers couldn't pull themselves out of trouble this time, falling 3-1 to the Golden Hawks in the decisive Game 3 of the NCHSAA 4-A Eastern regional series.
The Hawks will face the Western champion in the state playoff series schedule for June 1-2 at Walnut Creek.
Bucs coach Sebrina Wilson said there was nothing specific about this game that prevented her team from a comeback like the others.
"I just think when you reach in the well too many times, eventually that well will come up dry," Wilson said.
The loss ends Britt's season at 25-4, with the Bucs' regional appearance marking their best finish in program history.
The Bucs suffered from some familiar problems in the contest, allowing all three runs on fielding errors.
Holly Springs (23-3) struck first in the bottom of the third when Jenna Firestein's single to right field turned into a double on an error by Bucs' defender Stephanie Thomas.
Firestein stole third and was knocked home by Kristen Krebs to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Britt answered in the top of the fourth. Caitlin Mercier was hit by a pitch and stole second. Mercier stole third, and Hawks catcher Krebs overthrew third base, allowing Mercier to score.
The Bucs' defense allowed two runs in the bottom of the fifth on two errors to give the Hawks a 3-1 lead.
"I can honestly say that as a group, we feel like we gave it away," Wilson said. "It's not like Holly Springs had all these power hitters ripping it to the gaps. It was things we could've fielded. This was a lack of execution."
The loss ends the careers of pitcher McKenzie Weaver and second baseman Markell Wylie, Britt's two seniors.
Wylie was the victim of three of Holly Springs pitcher Erica Nunn's 11 strikeouts.
"I always had faith in my team," Wylie said. "We're young, and we make some errors and sometimes it's hard to take. But we were able to come back before because we play with a lot of heart."
Weaver allowed seven hits and a walk and struck out four in the game.
"This season went by really quick, but we did well as a whole," Weaver said. "I'm happy, win or lose, with our season."
Holly Springs 3, Jack Britt 1
Jack Britt 000 100 0 - 1 2 3
Holly Springs 001 020 x - 3 7 1
Weaver and M. Mercier. Nunn and Krebs. W - Nunn (24-3). L - Weaver (22-4).
Leading hitters: JB - M. Mercier 1-3 (2B), C. Mercier 1-2 (3 2Bs, run); HS - Firestein 1-3 (2 runs), Nunn 2-2 (BB, run)
Records: Jack Britt 25-4, Holly Springs 24-3