Wampus Cats wrap up four-game homestand with loss, win

Published 9:27 pm Monday, June 5, 2023

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Uwharrie Wampus Cats wrapped up the team’s first-ever homestand with games against the Carolina Disco Turkeys Friday night and the Greensboro Yard Goats Saturday.

Splitting the final two games of the homestand, Uwharrie (2-3) returns home for a two-game stint Thursday. The Cats host the Tarheel Royals Thursday night and the Carolina Ducks Friday. Both games are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.

Carolina Disco Turkeys 8, Uwharrie 5

The Wampus Cats built a two-run lead after seven innings but six runs scored by the Turkeys in the final two innings evened the season series between the two team for the Hwy. 52 Cup.

Bryson Bebber paced the offense going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBIs. Garrison Bridges and Isaiah Martin added RBI singles for the Wampus Cats.

Reid Withers started for Uwharrie and allowed one earned run on five hits with nine strikeouts. Former West Stanly standout Charlie Carpenter allowed a run on two hits with four strikeouts in two innings of relief.

Carolina took the lead on a solo home run in the top of the fourth, but the Cats responded immediately on a Martin solo shot to left.

Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Bebber put Uwharrie up with a two-out, three-run home run to center field.

The Turkeys scored three runs in the top of the eighth to take the lead, 5-4. Uwharrie’s Bridges drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth.

A two-RBI double and an error in the top of the ninth led to three runs for Carolina en route to the win.

Uwharrie 5, Greensboro 4

The Cats rallied from an early two-run deficit and scratched across a run in the bottom of the third inning which held up the rest of the way.

After Greensboro scored two in the top of the first inning, Uwharrie answered with four runs of their own. B.J. Williams delivered a two-RBI single to left then Penner laced a line drive to center field, scoring two more runs.

A sacrifice fly and a bases-loaded walk in the top of the third inning tied the game, 4-4, but the Wampus Cats responded in the bottom of the frame. Penner’s two-out, RBI single to center put Uwharrie up for good.

Ethan Young and Mason Tinsley then combined for six innings of scoreless relief, with Tinsley earning the save. Cooper Hyatt, who came on in relief of starter Sawyer Smith, earned the win.

Penner finished 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs as the Cats had eight hits in the game.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

email author More by Charles