A thrilling start

New Bern's 14U all-star baseball team had a flair for the dramatic on the opening day of the District 6 Babe Ruth Tournament on Thursday.

As Taylor Wright crossed home plate with the game-winning run in the eighth inning, a celebration ensued at home plate.

New Bern's 14U win was just the beginning of a five-day, double-elimination tournament that will culminate with the winner earning a trip to the state championships.

The 14U team edged out Beaufort County, 6-5, in the opener at Cutler Field at the West New Bern Recreation Center. In the nightcap, New Bern's 13U team played Kinston. The game was not completed by press time.

The 14U team, which finished second in the state as 13-year-olds, is eyeing a trip to Laurinburg in two weeks.

To get there, it must win four games.

"It's going to take good pitching," said 14U coach Woody Wright. "We run out of pitching last year and that's what killed us. I think we have got the hitters, we have got the fielders, but the pitching is either going to be our downfall or help us win."

The 14U team squandered a four-run lead in the fifth inning, only to tie the game in the seventh and win it in extra innings.

Tyler Williams' two-out RBI single in the seventh inning plated Logan Nobles. After Si Gillikin's pitching shut down Beaufort County in the top of the eighth, Jackson Parker's RBI single propelled New Bern toward the win.

"It's big," Wright said. "I told the kids that it's our time. It's going to be about heart. This is where you play with your heart. If you want it then go get it."

After the departure of Nobles, the 14U team gave up five runs in the fifth inning off two relief pitchers. Nobles was allowed to return to the mound and was masterful. He pitched seven innings, allowed no runs and struck out eight.

According to Babe Ruth rules, since Nobles pitched seven innings, he is unavailable for game 2.

The 14U squad advances to play Washington, N.C. at 2:30 p.m. today.

"Since they came back and won this game, that is going to give them more momentum," Wright said. "This game maybe turned into a booster for them."

If New Bern's 13U team wins, it will play at 7:30 p.m. tonight. With a loss, it wouldn't play again until Sunday afternoon. The 13U state tournament is held in Henderson.

The 13U team is led by pitcher Sean Garbarino, who started game 1 on Thursday. Brad Burgess, Greg Carter, Davis Cook, Austin King and Adam Nelson are among the top batters.

The tournament continues at 2:30 today at Cutler Field. There are games Sunday and Monday, and the championship games are on Tuesday.

"My mission is to try to get the kids to play as good as they can," Wright said. "We take one game at a time. I don't talk about the state to the kids at all."

Adam Thompson can be reached at (252) 635-5670 or at athompson@freedomenc.com.