Giants slip by B’way

Waynesboro’s baseball team couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season. After several games postponed due to weather, the Little Giants made the most of their opening game with a 2-1 win over Broadway on Friday night.

Joseph Lucas led the way for the Little Giants, combining a fastball with an unhittable curveball.

Webber Payne’s first win as the Little Giant’s coach started a little shaky, but settled down quickly as his Waynesboro team was ready to hit the field Friday.

“We finally get to play baseball,” Payne said. “It’s cold but who cares, we get to play baseball.”

Leadoff hitter Nick Fulk reached first base on a throwing error by third baseman Tyler Briggs. After J.D. Veney struck out and Walker Turner walked, Fulk attempted a steal of third base.

Kendall Wolfe’s throw sailed wide of the bag. Drew DeMoss was backing up Briggs and gunned Fulk out at home to end the threat.

“We have a lot of tenth graders on this team and most of them start,” Payne said. “I’m nervous, they were nervous and it showed in the first inning.”

The nerves left the Little Giants quickly as Lucas set down the next eight batters.

The Little Giants’ offense gave Lucas the support he needed in the third inning.

Strikeouts by Terrell Thompson and Jimmy Eavers sandwiched a walk by Lucas.

Briggs then made up for his error in the first with a single to right field, the first of the game for either team.

A throwing error by Broadway’s third baseman this time scoring Lucas from third.

The fourth inning gave the Little Giants a run without the benefit of a hit.

Broadway’s Tyler Conley plunked Tyler Davis, then back-to-back-to-back walks scored Davis before Conley was chased from the game.

The defense was superb behind Lucas. Aside from DeMoss’ play in the first to steal a run, J.T. Talley made a diving catch down the right field line to rob Fulk of extra bases in the third inning.

“It’s a pitcher’s dream to have defense behind him,” Payne added.

Lucas went the complete game, pitching almost unblemished baseball apart from a Turner home run given up in the sixth inning.

“It’s our first game so we are a little nervous,” Lucas stated. “In the first inning you could tell I haven’t pitched much this season. Once we got going I knew all I needed was a couple runs and I would be alright.”

Lucas struck out six and walked two while surrendering only two hits.

Waynesboro (1-0, 0-0) will travel to Wilson on Monday afternoon.