Panthers blanked in CCET finale

Staff Report
Published: March 26, 2008

HAVELOCK — Any momentum the Morehead Panthers had from Tuesday’s win in the Crystal Coast Easter Tournament went quickly out the door in Wednesday afternoon’s finale against New Bern.
The Bears used a pair of home runs and a no-hit performance to come away with an easy 10-0 five inning victory at Havelock High School.
The Panthers, who defeated Havelock 3-0 Tuesday, dropped to 2-8 heading into the second half of the season. MHS is scheduled to take on Bartlett Yancey this Tuesday in Yanceyville.
New Bern got the scoring started early as Brett Williams hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. After added a run n the third, the Bears broke the game open with a six-run fourth highlighted by a three-run home run from Gabe Brown. The fourth inning saw just two New Bern hits along with four walks and one error by Morehead.
MHS, which had no base runners get past second base, had its best scoring chance in the top of the fourth. Both Stephen Corcoran and Preston Halstead drew one-out walks, but both were left stranded as Grey Davis recorded back-to-back strikeouts. Davis pitched four innings and struck out six batters. Rudy Rutti pitched a perfect fifth and had one strikeout.
Joe Glasgow reached base on an error in the second and Corey Smith reached base on another Bear error in the fifth. However, the miscues didn’t come back to haunt New Bern.
Taylor Trantham got the start for the Panthers and lasted 3 and 1/3 innings. He surrendered eight runs (five earned), six hits and five walks. Trantham also had one strikeout.
Corcoran went the final 1 and 1/3 innings where he gave up two runs (one earned) and three hits.
The game with the Buccaneers will be one of three games for the Panthers this coming week. MHS will also take on Graham (Thursday) and Northern Guilford (Friday).
Tuesday’s game will start at 7 p.m.