Walston's No-No Leads New Hanover Past Topsail

New Hanover 1     Topsail 0

Game Recap:
In a key Mideastern 3A/4A Conference matchup at Topsail HS, both the Pirates and the visiting New Hanover Wildcats leaned on their pitchers in a great dual. In the end, Wildcat Senior Blake Walston was just a little too much, throwing a no-hitter and striking out 15 in route to the victory.

Walston faced 3 over the limit in his 7 innings, striking out 15. He threw 97 total pitches, 71% for strikes. The tone was set early as the lefty punched the first 5 hitters he faced and sat down the first 9 Pirates to hit.

In the 4th Topsail made a push to get on the board with a lead off walk followed by Hayden Walsh reaching on an error. With one out, Walston would walk his second hitter of the inning, loading the bases. Eight pitches, and two more strikeouts later, the Pirates remained scoreless.

In the top of the 4th, New Hanover would score all the runs Walston would need for the night. Kyle Smith led off with a walk and moved to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt from Alex Sniffen. A one out single from Jonathan Manis scored Smith. Topsail starter Josh McFann would not give New Hanover another chance, working a complete game and only allowing 3 hits and 2 walks.

After the trouble in the 4th, Walston eliminated the final 9 hitters to step into the box.