Staff Report

After a nine-day layoff, the Surry Pride junior legion baseball team had a tough time shaking off the rust against visiting High Point, losing 15-6.

The Pride committed 11 errors in the seven inning ball game, including three in the second inning, leading to three High Point runs.

After High Point jumped out to the 3-0 lead in the top of the second, Surry looked like it could stay close, quickly scoring three runs of its own.

Tanner Hudson (Surry Central) led off the inning with a single, then Hudson’s pinch runner, Blake Gilley (East Surry) stole second.

Jonah Easter (East Surry) reached on a walked, followed by a timely RBI double off the fence by Lathan Hunter (East Surry) to score Gilley.

The Pride scored their next two runs on a throwing error and a passed ball to tie the score at 3-3 entering the top half of the third.

It was as close as they would get, as High Point broke loose for a six-run top of the third, then added three more an inning later to push its lead to 12-3 entering the bottom half of the fourth inning.

Pride coach Colt Boyd said the layoff definitely hurt his team Tuesday.

“We have not played baseball in nine days and have only practiced once and it showed,” Boyd said. “It’s not an excuse, but it did hurt us. I didn’t want to practice tomorrow but we are going to. I think my kids just need more reps.”

Hunter had a strong game for the Pride, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk, a double, a homerun and three RBIs.

Boyd said High Point’s pitching was the best the Pride have seen four games into their season. He said Hunter and other players who had varsity experience were able to keep up, but the younger players struggled somewhat to keep pace.

The Pride now enter a back-to-back-to-back three-game home stand, beginning with Winston-Salem Thursday at 7 p.m. at Mount Airy High School.

Boyd said despite the tough loss, he still has faith his team can do good things this summer.

“I think everything is going to work out,” he said. “I have a very talented group. The rain has caused so many problems for everyone and we are no exception. Once we get into a groove and get some games under our belt, we will be fine. I feel like we are the most talented team in the conference, we’ve just got to play.”

High Point 15,

Surry 6

High Point 036 303 0 — 15 14 1

Surry 030 300 0 — 6 4 11

WP: Andrew Barnett; LP: Bradley Lewis

2B: S — Lathan Hunter

HR: S — Lathan Hunter