Whiteville Baseball loses, trails series 0-1

ZEBULON, NC (NCHSAA) – The Ledford Panthers jumped on Whiteville early, scraping out two runs in the first inning before they ripped off a 10-0 win in five innings over Whiteville in game one of the 2A Baseball State Championship.

The Panthers got a one out-walk from Chris Villaman in the top of the first, advancing to third on a double by Logan Whitaker. Noah Soles singled to right, plating the first run of the game by scoring Villaman and advancing Whitaker to third. Whitaker scored on an RBI ground out by Will Bethune to make it 2-0 after a half inning.

Ledford added four more in the second, stretching their lead to 6-0. The inning again started with a walk, as Avery Cain drew the one out-walk followed by a walk for Zack Weant. Weant was cut down at second for the second out of the inning as Cameron Mills reached on a fielder’s choice putting runners. Villaman doubled to score both runners, stretching the Panther lead to 4-0. Villaman scored on a single by Whitaker, and Whitaker later came around to score an error in left field.

The Panthers tacked on three more runs in the top of the third, pushing their lead to 9-0. The runs came after a single and a pair of walks loaded the bases with one out. Aydan Holt scored on a wild pitch before Eric Sidden scored on a squeeze bunt with the bases loaded by Mills. Then Weant came across for the third run of the inning with another wild pitch.

Ledford raised the lead to 10-0 with a run in the top of the fifth, with Mills scoring on a sacrifice fly by Villaman. Villaman was the star offensively for Ledford as he went 1 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI’s.  He also threw the complete 5 innings, allowing only 2 hits while striking out 8 without issuing a walk.

Whiteville fell to 27-2 on the year and snapped a 26-game winning streak with the loss. Ledford pushed their record to 29-3, winning their ninth straight and need just one win to close out the 2A State Championship Series when it resumes tomorrow. Game two is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Five County Stadium in Zebulon on Saturday.