The Watauga varsity baseball team doubled up West Wilkes, 8-4, in Boone on Monday.

After the season sweep of the Blackhawks, the Pioneers improved to 10-6 overall. West slipped to 7-8.

Jake Blanton doubled and drove in three runs in support of winning pitcher Luke Rothrock, who struck out five in three innings.

Braydon Sampson (0-2) started for West and struck out one of the three batters he retired. Easton Allen worked the final five frames, whiffing four.

Cohen Taylor went 2-for-3 and scored twice for West. Logan Sharpe and Allen each drove in a run.

NORTH DOWNS ELKIN

First-place North Wilkes turned back homestanding Elkin, 6-4, on Thursday.

After their eighth straight win, the Vikings ascended to 12-2 overall and 7-1 in MVC play. The Buckin’ Elks dipped to 4-10 and 1-7.

The North coaching staff could not be reached for statistics and comments, due to the observance of spring break in Wilkes County Schools.

CARDS TRIP TROJANS

East Wilkes turned in a 5-3 decision over Alleghany in Ronda on Thursday.

East’s Dalton Wood went 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Kayden Oliver had a two-run triple, while Mason Jones and Braylon Walker each scored twice.

“It was a good win against a very scrappy Alleghany team who played well,” said East’s coach, Justin Call. “We were able to put some pressure on them by playing some small ball and manufacturing a couple of runs, and then Kayden helped give us breathing room.”

Praden Hatley (1-1) picked up the win, striking out six in six-plus innings. Eli Andrews got the final two outs—one via strikeout—to notch the save.

“Praden pitched great and had no walks, which was key,” added Call. “Our defense played well behind him, Eli Andrews made a couple of nice catches at third base, and Logan Stroud did a good job behind the plate taking away their running game with his arm.”

The Cardinals rose to 9-5 overall and 5-3 in MVC tilts, while the Trojans tripped to 3-10 and 0-8.

CENTRAL CLIPS ASHE

Wilkes Central edged Ashe County, 2-1, in West Jefferson on Thursday, gaining a regular season split with the Huskies.

The Eagles plated the winning run in the top of the sixth to improve to 4-7 overall and 3-5 in MVC play. The Huskies regressed to 7-6 and 5-3.

Evan Adams (3-0) went the distance for Central, allowing five hits and no earned runs while walking one and striking out eight.

Adams was also 2-for-2 with an RBI double at the plate. Casey Adams went 2-for-3 with a solo homer.

RAMS DENY ’HAWKS

Starmount held off West Wilkes in Millers Creek on Thursday, 7-5.

With the tying run on second, Ryley Rodriguez got a game-ending strikeout to end the threat and earn the save. Rodriguez also went 3-for-5 with two doubles and four RBIs.

Eli Johnson went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles for West. Braydon Sampson delivered a two-run single in the sixth, while Camden Wayne also had two RBIs.

Jeb Boykin (2-3) struck out four in as many frames. Holden Gentry got the final nine outs, two via strikeout.

The Rams moved up to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in MVC action, while the Blackhawks slipped to 7-7 and 5-3.

League-leading North Wilkes edged Elkin, 1-0, in Hays on March 31.

The Vikings won their seventh straight, ascending to 11-2 overall and 6-1 at the halfway point of MVC play. The Buckin’ Elks slipped to 4-9 and 1-6.

Ryan Laws (4-2) and Aiden Teague combined for the shutout, with Teague notching the save by striking out the last (and only) batter he faced. Laws scattered two hits and struck out 12.

Mason Cardwell went 2-for-4 and singled in Carson Call for the game’s only run in the seventh.

East Wilkes coasted to a 20-1 victory over Alleghany in five innings March 31 in Sparta.

The Cardinals rose to 8-5 overall and 4-3 in MVC tilts, while the Trojans backslid to 3-9 and 0-7.

Dalton Wood (3-2) went the distance, allowing one single and no earned runs while walking one and striking out six.

Ayden Guessford went 3-for-3 with a double, four runs and one RBI. Praden Hatley and Mason Jones drove in three runs apiece.

West Wilkes cruised to a 17-5 win over Starmount in Boonville on March 31.

“It was a good win in a tough place to play,” said West Coach Drew Ward. “We got the bats going with some small ball and good baserunning in the third, and then turned things on later. We were able to move the ball around and find the big hit when we had the opportunity.”

Camden Wayne went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs. Hayden Gentry tripled, joining Easton Allen with two RBIs.

Braydon Sampson (1-1) picked up the win, striking out five in as many innings. Holden Gentry got the final six outs, four via strikeout.

“Our pitchers did a good job overall competing in the zone and going after their hitters,” added Ward. “And defensively we played really well.”

The Blackhawks moved up to 7-6 overall and 5-2 in MVC action, while the Rams regressed to 7-3 and 5-2.

Ashe County shut out Wilkes Central, 10-0, in Moravian Falls on March 31.

Gavin Eller tossed a three-hit shutout and drove in two runs for the Huskies, who rose to 7-5 overall and 5-2 in MVC play. The Eagles dipped to 3-7 and 2-5.

Hayden Williams (0-1) struck out three for the Eagles. Casey Adams whiffed six of the eight batters he retired in relief.


Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.


Error! There was an error processing your request.