Raiders defeat Eagles on EBHS baseball diamond

Icard- The East Burke Middle baseball team hosted long-time rival Heritage Middle Thursday at the East Burke High School baseball field.

The Raiders built an early 5-1 lead through four innings and held off a late three-run Eagles rally in the last two innings to gain a 6-4 win.

The first two innings went scoreless when East Burke started off the bottom of the third inning with lead-off batter Kaden Buff.

Buff recorded a single and advanced to third base as Cannon Morrison got on base off an error.

Barger Shook batted in Buff off a double and Colt Butcher batted in Morrison off a single.

Shook scored the third run in the inning off a wild pitch.

Austin Reynolds and Zayne Newman each scored a run for the Raiders in the fourth inning with Morrison scoring off a sixth-inning sacrifice fly by Mason Mosteller.

Logan Carswell scored the first run for the Eagles off a fourth-inning error with Jacob Mull adding a sixth-inning run off a Bryson Powell single.

A two-run double by Mull in the top of the seventh inning scored Gavin Johnson and Griffin Stephens in a last-ditch effort of a Heritage comeback.

Shook started 5 1/3 innings for East Burke allowing just two runs on six hits and three walks with striking out eight Eagles batters.

Mosteller pitched in relief for the Raiders striking out just one batter.

Mull got the start for the Eagles pitching a no-hitter for two innings, only allowing three walks and striking out two Raider batters.

Johnson (3K) and Chase Yambor (1K) pitched in relief for the Eagles.

Both teams conclude the regular season Monday with Heritage hosting West McDowell and East Burke visiting East McDowell.

4/29 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

BASEBALL

Draughn 6, Hibriten 4

Gabe Strickland (2/4, run)

Trey Jensen (1/4, HR, run, 2 RBI)

Nick Rhoney (1/4, 2 RBI) 

Marshall Byrd (1/3, run, walk)

Hollan Cline (1/1, run, RBI, 2 walks)  

Brayden Schutt (run)

Will Price (run)

John Abernathy (RBI)

WP: Nick Rhoney (5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 5 BB, 2 K)

Bunker Hill 10, East Burke 0

SOFTBALL

Draughn 13, West Caldwell 2

Foard 6, East Burke 1

GIRLS SOCCER

Draughn 9, West Caldwell 0

4/28 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

NWFAC T&F @ Bunker Hill

Bella Williams (D) Girls High Jump 1st (4-08)

Haylie Evans (EB) Girls 400 Meters 1st (1:23.64)

Hannah Parker (EB) Girls 300 Hurdles 1st (57.84)

Taylor Bostain (EB) Girls Discus Throw 1st (70-08)

Taylor Bostain (EB) Girls Shot Put 1st (28-05.50)

East Burke Girls 4x200 Relay 1st (2:09.90)

KJ Byrd (EB) Boys High Jump 1st (5-10)

KJ Byrd (EB) Boys Triple Jump 1st (39-03)

KJ Byrd (EB) Boys Pole Vault 1st (14-00)

Noah Rooks (EB) Boys Discus Throw 1st (112-07)

Noah Rooks (EB) Boys Shot Put 1st (42-09)

East Burke girls (2nd, 46)

Ambria White (shot put, 2nd)

Emily Burkeen (discus throw, 3rd) (shot put, 5th)

Sierra Pelham (shot put, 4th) (discus throw, 6th)

Janie Ennis (800 meters, 4th)

Claire Cook (high jump, 4th)

Mary Blakenship (800 meters, 5th)

Nadia Cain (shot put, 6th) (discus throw, 7th)

East Burke boys (3rd, 34)

Travis Craig (400 meters, 4th)

Jackson Spencer (400 meters, 5th)

Ian Cox (long jump, 5th)

Caleb Johnson-White (800 meters, 6th) (1600 meters, 9th)

Hunter Mauldin (discus throw, 7th)

Chase Greer (discus throw, 8th) (shot put, 8th)

Ben Kress (400 meters, 9th)

Chad Hart (shot put, 9th)

Tanner Ivey (400 meters, 10th)

Draughn boys (4th, 19)

Andrew Albright (800 meters, 2nd) (1600 meters, 4th)

Dustin Riffle (400 meters, 2nd) (200 meters, 10th)

Reed Farrar (800 meters, 3rd) (1600 meters, 3rd)

Ben Thao (400 meters, 3rd) (100 meters, 9th) (200 meters, 9th)

Jonathan Garcia (800 meters, 8th) (1600 meters, 10th)

Aiden Camanguian (400 meters, 6th)

Benjamin Icard (400 meters, 7th)

Nick Martin (long jump, 7th)

Draughn girls (4th, 17.5)

Regen Bridges (1600 meters, 2nd)

Georgia Goulding (high jump, 3rd) (long jump, 3rd)

Bella Williams (long jump, 4th)

Libby Toole (800 meters, 6th)

Girls Soccer

West Caldwell 2, East Burke 0 (Tuesday)

Softball

Draughn 19, West Iredell 3 (Tuesday)

Regan Winkler (4 hits, double, 3 RBI)

Maddie Crouch (3 hits, double, 3 runs, 2 RBI)

Katie Cozort (3 hits, 2 doubles, 3 runs, 3 RBI)

Brianna Nations (3 hits, double, 2 RBI)

Maddison Powell (3 hits, double, 3 RBI)

Katie Lail (2 hits, 3 runs, RBI)

WP: Dakota Melacon (5K)

4/27 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

NWFAC 2A Boys Tennis Tournament @ Patton

Singles

Thomas Wentz (East Burke)

Bye

Aiden Ollis (Foard) 6-3, 2-6, 10-4 WIN

Davy Stamey (East Burke)

Ryker Suchocki (Draughn) 6-1, 6-0 WIN

Evan Van Horne (Hibriten) 6-2, 6-2 LOSS

Doubles

Chimoua Yang/Justin Jones (East Burke)

Chavez/Little (Bunker Hill) 10-2 WIN

Corey Powell/Ryan Williams (Draughn) 10-7 LOSS

Robbie Stringfield/Dalton Parker (East Burke)

Brody Wright/Aiden Hunt (Draughn) 10-6 WIN

Braxton Mull/Ransom Vance (Patton) 10-1 LOSS

BASEBALL

Hibriten 16, Draughn 2

Bunker Hill 16, East Burke 0

SOFTBALL

Draughn 19, West Iredell 3

West Caldwell 8, East Burke 4

GIRLS SOCCER

West Iredell 6, East Burke 2

4/26 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

Softball: Draughn 9, East Burke 3

DHS

Chloe Gary 3/4, 2 doubles, 3 runs, walk

Dakota Melacon  3/4, 2 runs, 2 RBI

Katie Cozort 3/5, 2 runs

Regan Winkler 2/4, double, run, 2 RBI

Briana Nations 2/4, 3 RBI

Bailey Bryant 1/3, run, 2 RBI, walk

WP: Melacon (7 IP, 5K)

EBHS

Maddie Johnson 1/2, double, run, RBI, walk

Grace Hammack 1/2, run, walk 

Katherine Greene 1/2, 2 RBI  

Dani Foxx 1/3, run

Kayleigh Icard 1/3

Girls Soccer: Draughn 5, East Burke 0

DHS: Lowman (5 goals)

MS Baseball: East Burke 19, Table Rock 0

Mason Mosteller (WP, 2 IP, 3 K) (3/3, triple, 3 runs)

Caden Buff (2/2, 3 runs, walk)

Barger Shook (2/3, 3-run HR, 3 runs, walk)

Zayne Newman (1/2, run)

Cannon Morrison (1/2, 2 runs, walk)

Colt Butcher (1/2, double, 2 runs, walk)

MS Wrestling: East Burke 84, Walter Johnson 0

Pins: Tucker Gantt, DJ Weston, Patrick Hernandez

Foothills Power 5 (2021 Softball #5)

#1 Hibriten (12-0) East Burke 6-3 W, Foard 8-2 W

#2 South Caldwell (11-1, 11-0) St Stephens 8-0 W, Watauga 27-0 W, Alexander Central 2-1 W

#3 Bunker Hill (9-3) West Iredell 10-0 W, Draughn 19-17 W

#4 East Lincoln (11-1) West Lincoln 4-2 L/8-0 W

#5 Alexander Central (10-2, 9-2) Hickory 16-0 W, South Caldwell 2-1 L

Honorable Mention:

Bandys (8-4), Foard (8-4), Draughn (6-5), West Lincoln (6-5)

 

4/22 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

SOFTBALL

Bunker Hill 19, Draughn 17

East Burke 11, Patton 10

GIRLS SOCCER

Patton 1, East Burke 0

MS BASEBALL

East Burke 4, Liberty 1

Mason Mosteller (2 runs)

Colt Butcher (run)

Darren Hammons (RBI)

Owen Hartmann (run, walk)

Rhett Houston (double, RBI)

WP: Barger Shook (4 IP, 8 K)

S: Mason Mosteller (3 IP, 2 K)

4/20 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

SOFTBALL

Foard 11, Draughn 3

Hibriten 6, East Burke 3

Danielle Foxx 1/4, 2 RBI

Taylor Bostain 1/4, RBI

Destiny Brooks 1/2, run

Ambria White 1/3, 2 runs

Kayleigh Icard 3 K

GIRLS SOCCER

Foard 2, Draughn 0

Hibriten 9, East Burke 0

BASEBALL

Draughn 8, Burns 3 (scrimmage)

Trey Jensen 2/3, 2 RBI, run 

Brayden Schutt 2/4, 3 runs

Gabe Strickland 2/4, 2 RBI

Marshall Byrd 2/4, RBI

Trey Jensen (2 IP, 2 K)

Gabe Strickland (3 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K)

Marshall Byrd (1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 K)

John Abernathy (1 IP, 2 K)

Foothills Power 5 (2021 Softball #4)

#1 Hibriten (10-0) Draughn 11-1 W, West Caldwell 15-0 W

#2 East Lincoln (10-0) Maiden 7-2 W/11-1 W

#3 Alexander Central (9-1, 8-1) McDowell 9-5 W, Freedom 22-2 W

#4 South Caldwell (8-1, 8-0) Freedom 10-0 W, McDowell 6-3 W

#5 Draughn (6-3) Foard 8-6 W, Hibriten 11-1 L, Patton 19-10 W

Lady Wildcats 3 HRs lead to Senior Night win

Valdese- Three home runs by the Draughn softball team Thursday night led to a 19-10 senior night victory over visiting Patton in their last county rivalry matchup as Northwestern Foothills 2A Conference opponents.

Patton built a 6-4 lead after 1.5 innings when Katie Cozort and Dakota Melacon each hit two-run shots to also plate Maddie Crouch and Regan Winkler to gain the 8-6 lead.

The Lady Wildcats (6-3) also added seven runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning as the lone senior Chloe Gary blasted a three-run home run also scoring Crouch and Cozort.

"(This win) has a lot to do with my team just being behind me all the time," said Gary. "It just encourages me to do better each and every game."

Draughn collected 21 hits in all and was led by four hits each from Gary (4 runs, 4 RBI), Winkler (4 runs, 2 RBI), and Melacon (3 RBI, 2 runs).

Crouch and Cozort scored three runs each with Laney Winebarger, Bailey Bryant, and Katie Lail also scoring a run.

Melacon (2 K) and Winebarger (6 K) each shared time in the pitchers circle for the Lady Wildcats.

With two weeks left in the regular season, the Lady Wildcats are still on the bubble for a potential 2A wildcard playoff spot also boosted by Monday's home win over Foard.

-VERSE OF THE DAY-

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

-Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV)

4/15 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

GIRLS SOCCER

Patton 1, Draughn 0

West Iredell 2, East Burke 1 (OT)

Meah Walsh goal

Maya Chrisco assist

Chloe Cook 10 saves

Hibriten 2, Draughn 1 (Tuesday)

SOFTBALL

West Iredell 7, East Burke 3

Katherine Greene (2/2, RBI)

Kaylee Paige (2/4, run)

Taylor Bostain (1/4, run)

Madyson Johnson (1/2, RBI, run)

Destiny Brooks (0/2, RBI)

MS SOFTBALL

East Burke 17, Heritage 2 (Tuesday)

East Burke 10, Table Rock 0 (Wednesday)

East Burke 7, East McDowell 6

4/13 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

SOFTBALL

Draughn 8, Foard 6 (Monday)

Maddie Crouch (3 hits, 2 doubles, 3 runs, RBI)

Katie Cozort (3 hits, 2 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBI)

Brianna Nations (2 hits, double, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI)

Regan Winkler (hit, RBI)

Dakota Melacon (hit, RBI, winning pitcher)

Bailey Bryant (hit, run)

Hibriten 11, Draughn 1

Chloe Gary (HR)

Bunker Hill 4, East Burke 3

Kayleigh Icard (2/3, run) 

Taylor Bostain (1/3, RBI)

Madyson Johnson (1/3, run)

Destiny Brooks (1/3, 2 RBI)   

Dani Foxx (1/4, double, run)

GIRLS SOCCER

Foard 3, Draughn 1 (Monday)

Alexis Diaz goal

East Burke 4, Bunker Hill 1

Meah Walsh 3 goals

BH own goal

Assists: Alia Castejon, Piper Strong, Maya Chrisco

Chloe Cook 3 saves

Foothills Power 5 (Spring 2021 Football #6)

#1 Hibriten (7-0, 6-0 Northwestern Foothills 2A) -CONFERENCE CHAMPS- Patton 62-0 W

#2 Bunker Hill (6-1 Northwestern Foothills 2A) West Caldwell 38-7 W

#3 Maiden (6-0 South Fork 2A) -CONFERENCE CHAMPS- Lincolnton 32-7 W

#4 Alexander Central (5-2, 4-1 Northwestern 3A/4A) South Caldwell 49-20 W

#5 Watauga (5-1, 5-0 Northwestern 3A/4A) -CONFERENCE CHAMPS- TC Roberson 47-36 L

Honorable Mention:

Draughn (5-2), East Lincoln (5-2), West Lincoln (5-2), East Burke (4-3), North Lincoln (4-3), McDowell (3-3), South Caldwell (3-2)

Foothills Power 5 (2021 Softball #3)

#1 Hibriten (8-0) Bunker Hill 4-3 W, Patton 8-1 W

#2 East Lincoln (7-0) Bandys 5-0 W, Newton-Conover 7-0 W

#3 Alexander Central (7-1, 6-1) Watauga 13-3 W, St Stephens 5-1 W

#4 South Caldwell (6-1, 6-0) West Stanly 4-3 L, Hickory 11-0 W

#5 Bunker Hill (6-2) Hibriten 4-3 L, West Caldwell 13-0 W

Honorable Mention:

Draughn (4-2)

Draughn 41, East Burke 28 The Summary

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

EB- Blane Fulbright 1 run (Alexis Hernandez kick)

D- Nigel Dula 37 run (Manny Velasquez kick)

Second Quarter

EB- Noah Rooks 20 interception return (Fulbright run)

D- Beckett Nelson 19 pass from Dula (Desmond Hedrick run)

EB- Fulbright 1 run (run failed)

D- Hedrick 45 kick return (Velasquez kick)

Third Quarter

D- Dula 66 pass from Eli Tillery (run failed)

EB- Carter Crump 10 run (Hernandez kick)

D- Dula 11 run (Velasquez kick)

Fourth Quarter

D- Dula 5 run (kick blocked)

By The Numbers

222: rushing yards for Draughn's Nigel Dula

205: rushing yards for East Burke's Blane Fulbright

113: passing yards for Draughn's Desmond Hedrick

D 31: Draughn's average starting field position

EB 25: East Burke's average starting field position

18: first downs for East Burke

16: first downs for Draughn

12: offensive possessions that started or crossed midfield

6: wins by Draughn and East Burke in this rivalry series

3: touchbacks kicked by Draughn's Manny Velasquez

0.700: East Burke's third-down percentage (7/10)

0.375: Draughn's third-down percentage (3/8)

Blue & Gold Classic MVPs

Draughn: Nigel Dula

East Burke: Noah Rooks

Final Stat Leaders

Rushing

Blane Fulbright (EB) 203-1148, 11 TD (164.0) (season-high: 291 vs Patton) (10th at EBHS)

Nigel Dula (D) 124-776, 8 TD (110.8) (season-high: 222 vs E Burke) (7th at DHS)

Dawson Langley (EB) 61-373, 4 TD (53.3) (season-high: 94 vs Foard)

Carter Crump (EB) 63-332, 5 TD (47.4) (season-high: 117 vs Patton) 

Desmond Hedrick (D) 60-181, TD (25.8) (season-high: 84 vs Patton)

Passing

Desmond Hedrick (D) 43/102, 584 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT (83.4) (season-high: 133 vs Foard) (4th at DHS)

Eli Tillery (D) 20/40, 278 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT (39.7) (season-high: 110 vs Patton) 

Receiving

Beckett Nelson (D) 16-244, 5 TD (34.8) (season-high: 74 vs Foard)

Zach Pinkerton (D) 14-211, TD (30.1) (season-high: 79 vs West Iredell)

Scoring

Blane Fulbright (EB) 74

Nigel Dula (D) 64

Desmond Hedrick (D) 50

Carter Crump (EB) 44

Beckett Nelson (D) 36

Dawson Langley (EB) 28

Eli Tillery (D) 20

Career Ranks

Desmond Hedrick (D) 584 passing yards (4th at DHS)

Eli Tillery (D) 278 passing yards (9th at DHS)

Beckett Nelson (D) 381 receiving yards (7th at DHS)

Blane Fulbright (EB) 1355 rushing yards (8th at EBHS)

HS Football (Spring 2021 Week Seven)

Draughn (4-2) @ East Burke (4-2)

Series History: East Burke 6, Draughn 5

10/2/2009: East Burke 32, Draughn 0

10/1/2010: Draughn 36, East Burke 35

9/23/2011: Draughn 30, East Burke 7

9/21/2012: East Burke 26, Draughn 7

10/11/2013: Draughn 28, East Burke 21

10/10/2014: East Burke 27, Draughn 14

10/9/2015: East Burke 36, Draughn 14

10/7/2016: East Burke 20, Draughn 0

11/3/2017: East Burke 21, Draughn 12

11/2/2018: Draughn 28, East Burke 17

11/8/2019: Draughn 38, East Burke 7

Leading Performers

Draughn: Nigel Dula, Desmond Hedrick, Eli Tillery, Beckett Nelson, Luke Rector, Zach Poteet

East Burke: Blane Fulbright, Dawson Langley, Carter Crump, Cash Norman, Michael Magni, Spencer Goins

From The Coaches

"We are blessed to be able to play another week. As a team, we got back on track last week with a win and hope to continue the momentum."

"There is a lot on the line this week: crosstown rival, competing for third place in the conference, possible playoffs. Our message to the guys is to control what you can control (and) focus on us."

"Draughn is well-coached and their boys play tough, it should be a really good game for our fans to come out and watch."

-Derrick Minor

"I've been really proud of how our kids have come together and played over the last couple weeks, rebounding after a couple hard losses have been what we needed."

"East Burke is a tough run team, our success defensively depends on our ability to contain and tackle. We have to get 11 guys to the football and make plays. Offensively, we have to be able to make plays with our dynamic playmakers."

"At the end of the day, it comes down to winning at the line of scrimmage. We have done that the last two weeks and must do it one more time. No matter the outcome, I'm so pleased with these kids and everything they have given this season. Couldn't be blessed to coach a better group."

-Chris Powell 

Stat Leaders

Rushing

Blane Fulbright (EB) 163-949, 9 TD (157.2) (NWFAC 1st)

Nigel Dula (D) 99-554, 5 TD (92.3) (NWFAC 4th)

Carter Crump (EB) 58-312, 4 TD (52.0) 

Dawson Langley (EB) 52-296, 4 TD (49.3)

Desmond Hedrick (D) 52-187, TD (31.2)

Passing

Desmond Hedrick (D) 39/91, 471 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT (78.5) (NWFAC 4th)

Eli Tillery (D) 19/38, 247 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT (41.2)

Receiving

Beckett Nelson (D) 13-202, 4 TD (33.7) (NWFAC 5th)

Zach Pinkerton (D) 13-187, TD (31.2) (NWFAC 6th)

Eli Pritchard (D) 10-136, TD (22.7)

Scoring

Blane Fulbright (EB) 60

Carter Crump (EB) 38

Desmond Hedrick (D) 36

Nigel Dula (D) 34

Beckett Nelson (D) 30

Dawson Langley (EB) 28

Eli Tillery (D) 20

Chasing Records

Nigel Dula (Season Rushing Yards) 74 for 8th at DHS

Desmond Hedrick (Season Passing Yards) 30 for 5th at DHS

Desmond Hedrick (Career Passing Yards) 57 for 5th at DHS

Eli Tillery (Career Passing Yards) 45 for 8th at DHS

Beckett Nelson (Career Receiving Yards) 56 for 6th at DHS

Blane Fulbright (Season Rushing Yards) 177 for 10th at EBHS

Blane Fulbright (Career Rushing Yards) 120 for 8th at EBHS

4/6 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

SOFTBALL

Draughn 12, West Iredell 1

Chloe Gary (3 hits, double, HR)

Maddie Crouch (3 hits, 2 doubles)

WP: Dakota Melacon

East Burke 19, West Caldwell 6

Taylor Bostian (2/2, 4 runs, 6 RBI, grand slam HR, 2 walks)

Danielle Foxx (2/2, 2 runs, walk)

Kaylee Paige (2/2, 2 runs, RBI)

Madyson Johnson (2/3, 3 runs, RBI)

Destiny Brooks (1/2, run, 3 RBI, walk)

Kayleigh Icard (1/3, 2 RBI)

Katherine Greene (1/4, run)

Grace Hammack (2 runs)

Ambria White (2 runs)

WP: Kayleigh Icard (5 K)

GIRLS SOCCER

Draughn 3, West Iredell 0

East Burke 1, West Caldwell 1

Hibriten 8, East Burke 0 (Monday)

Foothills Power 5 (2021 Softball #2)

#1 South Caldwell (5-0) Alex Central 8-1 W

#2 Hibriten (6-0) Foard 3-1 W, West Iredell 12-0 W

#3 East Lincoln (5-0) North Lincoln 7-2 W/3-0 W

#4 Bandys (5-1) Newton-Conover 9-4 W, Lincolnton 16-0 W/20-2 W

#5 Alexander Central (5-1, 4-1) South Caldwell 8-1 L, Watauga 18-0 W

Honorable Mention:

Bunker Hill (5-1), Maiden (5-1), Draughn (3-2)

Foothills Power 5 (Spring 2021 Football #5)

#1 Watauga (5-0) Freedom 21-0 W

#2 Hibriten (6-0, 5-0) West Iredell 50-0 W

#3 Bunker Hill (5-1) Patton 48-0 W

#4 Alex Central (4-2, 3-1) Hickory 48-0 W

#5 Maiden (5-0) Newton-Conover 33-14 W

Honorable Mention: Draughn (4-2), East Burke (4-2), West Lincoln (4-2), South Caldwell (3-1), North Lincoln (3-3)

4/1 Burke County FCA Scoreboard

Varsity Football

Draughn 21, West Caldwell 7

Nigel Dula (22-75 rushing)

Desmond Hedrick (11-45 rushing TD, 8/19 80 yards passing)

Eli Pritchard (5-63 receiving, sack)

Nick Rhoney (15 yd INT TD return)

Devenaire Hill (15 yd blocked punt TD return)

Manny Velasquez 3/3 PAT

Will Price (INT)

Tywan Nemorian (INT)

Luke Rector (sack, TFL)

Zach Poteet (sack)

Trey Kincaid (sack)

East Burke 30, Foard 14

Blane Fulbright (32-172 rushing, 3 TDs)

Dawson Langley (11-87 rushing, TD)

Michael Magni (11 tackles, TFL)

Spencer Goins (10 tackles, INT, fumble recovery)

Matthew Vue (9 tackles)

Noah Rooks (8 tackles, TFL, forced fumble)

Landon Langley (8 tackles)

Austin Sellers (INT)

Softball

Draughn 12, West Caldwell 1

Foard 8, East Burke 0

Girls Soccer

Draughn 9, West Caldwell 0

Foard 7, East Burke 0