Will Harris tossed a no-hitter and came within one hit by pitch of a perfect game in Rosewood’s 3-0 win against North Duplin on Tuesday evening.
The senior’s outstanding performance helped the Eagles (9-1 overall) win their ninth game in a row.
“Will threw such a great game that three runs ended up being enough against a good team,” Rosewood head coach Jason King said. “I was proud of the boys for holding their feet to the fire and continuing to battle.
“Will was on it. He threw a great game the last time he started, and he’s got that ability in him. I couldn’t be prouder of him, and he’s a great kid.”
From the start of the game, it looked like Harris was going to have a strong outing.
He struck out the side in the first and second innings and finished the game with 11 strikeouts. He also coaxed North Duplin into five pop-ups and three groundouts.
Rosewood scored two of its runs in the bottom of the second.
Gabe Vernon hit a single to get on base, while Bryce Wirhouski also hit a single. Anderson Clucas then hit a two-run double that brought home both Vernon and Wirhouski.
“The bottom of lineup produced. Some of those guys have been struggling a little bit, but they’re starting to see the ball better, make contact and move runners over,” King said. “A little bit of confidence here and there is good for anyone playing the game of baseball.”
After giving up two runs, the Rebels did a good job of holding off the Eagles for the remainder of the game. However, thanks to Harris, the Rebels had no chances to get any runs of their own on the board.
In the bottom of the fifth, Clucas scored the Eagles’ third run of the game.
Harris then struck out the side in the top of the seventh to give the Eagles the victory.
Rosewood faces Princeton (6-4) today and then travels to Bear Grass Charter School (9-1) on Friday.
“It’ll be a little bit of stretch for us and our pitching staff,” King said about playing three games in a week. “It’s something we’ve not had to do, but I’m confident that guys can handle it. They’re focused, and they come ready to play, so we’ll just see what happens.
