Trojans stake claim to first

New Kent shortstop Mason Downer gloves a grounder on the way to retiring a Smithfield batter in the third inning.

Alan Chamberlain photo

New Kent’s six-run first inning coupled with an overall 14-hit attack swamped Smithfield’s Packers 15-3 on May 10. The win kept the host Trojans locked in a battle for first place with Warhill in Bay Rivers District baseball.

Coupled with season-ending wins at Poquoson and Bruton, the Trojans finished 14-4 as regular season co-champions and were seeded second heading into last Saturday’s district tournament opening round.

New Kent got singles from Michael Carpenter, Dakota Oxendine, Mason Downer, Jake Countiss, and Trey Cox along with a Kevin Karaffa double to score the six first inning runs and never look back.

“We really did unload on them,” said winning coach Ronnie Cox. “We make it easy for ourselves because we’re hitting so well. All of our pitchers are pitching with leads, and that makes it a lot easier.”

The opening barrage helped pitcher Matt Metheny after the Packers had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Going the five-inning distance, he scattered five hits while striking out three.

The hosts loaded the bases with two away in the second. With the runners on the move on a 3-2 pitch, Steven Carpenter cleaned the sacks with a looping single to left. He later scored on a Cox single to up the advantage to 10-1.

Nick Valentino’s RBI single highlighted a three-run third inning. New Kent’s final two runs crossed the plate in the fourth.