Game 1 Grit: Midway Overpowers South Lenoir in Series Opener

2A Eastern Regional Finals – Game 1 | #13 Midway 8, #6 South Lenoir 1
Series: Midway leads 1-0 | Game 2: Thursday at Midway, 7 p.m.

DEEP RUN —
The moment wasn’t too big for South Lenoir — they just didn’t execute.

In the first Eastern Regional Final appearance in school history, the No. 6-seeded Blue Devils couldn’t get the bats rolling Tuesday night, falling 8-1 to No. 13 Midway at home in Game one of the three game series.

South Lenoir (21-4) managed just one run on six hits, stranding key baserunners and missing timely opportunities. Midway (23-7), on the other hand, capitalized early and often, using a balanced attack and a complete-game effort from sophomore pitcher Tanner Williams to take command of the series.

Williams gave the Blue Devils problems on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he tossed seven efficient innings, allowing one run on six hits with five strikeouts and only one walk. At the plate, he finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBIs, and a first-inning single that set the tone.

After Midway grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, South Lenoir answered in the bottom half. Senior Jake Howard worked a six-pitch at-bat and delivered a game-tying RBI single into right field, scoring leadoff man Noah Rouse, who went 2-for-3 on the night.

That was as close as South Lenoir would get.

The Raiders scored again in the third and added two more in the fourth, steadily pulling away as the Blue Devils struggled to mount a second offensive push. Starter Hayden Marshburn allowed four runs (two earned) over three innings. Midway racked up 12 hits and six walks and never let South Lenoir regain rhythm.

Despite the result, head coach Paul Novicki wasn’t shaken.

As soon as the game ended, Novicki told his team exactly where the focus would be going forward. South Lenoir will hand the ball to senior ace Matthew “Tadpole” Rhodes for Game 2 — and the confidence hasn’t wavered inside the dugout.

“This is not over,” Novicki said after the game. “We didn’t play well tonight, but I’ve got full confidence in us. Tadpole’s getting the ball Thursday, everybody’s going to make plays, and we’re going to come out with a win.”

Rhodes has been the Blue Devils’ go-to all year, and he’ll be tasked with extending the series in Spivey’s Corner.

Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Midway High School. A win sends it back to Deep Run for a decisive Game 3.