Avery baseball scored three first-inning runs, then staved off a late Hampton rally to hold on for a 5-4 win on Wednesday in Carter County, TN.
Preston Jennings got the starting pitching nod and threw well in his season debut. The senior right hander went three innings+. Avery built a 4-0 lead, but Hampton rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the third on five straight base hits to cut the lead to one. Jon Hensley came on in relief of Jennings in the third, but was unable to retire a batter. Coach Benny Wellborn then called on Brooks Oakley to pitch, and the right hander struck out two of the next three batters and went the distance to secure the win.
Avery plays at Wilkes Central in a non-conference game on Friday.
In soccer action Wednesday evening the Avery Lady Vikings extended its non-losing streak to three games with a 1-0 win at MacDonald Stadium against the Pisgah Lady Bears. The game winning goal occurred in the 67th minute as Brianna Strange assisted on a goal by Mary Chesnut Smith. Avery plays this evening in a non-conference match at North Wilkes High School.
