These 3 players helped Gray’s Creek baseball stay in mix for a conference championship
Gray’s Creek baseball remains in the mix to win back-to-back championships in the United 8 Conference.
After sweeping the league titles in 2022 behind seniors Caleb “Pee Wee” Holland and Michael Hinkle, the Bears have turned to a new set of leaders in 2023.
“Last year’s team was unique – we only had 12 kids on the team. This year, it’s just a whole new personality of guys learning to work together every day,” head coach Jeff Nance said.
“This is a hard-working group of guys, but we’ve got a lot of young kids who have worked their way into the lineup. … I just think the temperature in the locker room and in the dugout really matters. All of our kids like each other and it showed (against Lumberton).”
With its 12-6 win against Lumberton on Tuesday, Gray’s Creek kept its title hopes alive. The Bears (10-6, 8-3) trail Purnell Swett (12-8, 9-2) and Cape Fear (9-9, 8-2), but they’ll get a chance to play the Colts in the regular-season finale on April 28.
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“We lost a total of three games by four runs, so I told them we’re four runs from being in first place. That’s baseball, so we’re just trying to keep a positive attitude,” Nance said.
“I know it’s cliché, but we’re just taking them one at a time and hoping to put a good product on the field … and let the chips fall where they may.”
Here’s a look at Gray's Creek's top three performers against the Pirates (10-7, 7-4) in a win that kept the Bears in the race for a championship.
Ryan Smith
Smith, who had three hits and two RBIs out of the No. 8 spot in the lineup, couldn’t have scripted a better senior night.
“It was just a good way for things to go,” Smith said. “Everybody was hitting the ball and making plays.”
In addition to Smith’s effort at the plate, freshman Gunner Sterling added two hits and three RBIs out of nine spot as the Bears scored 12 runs on 13 hits. As a team leader, Smith took some time to note the contributions of the underclassmen.
“We’ve had a lot of younger guys step up,” Smith said. “We’ve got a lot of freshmen and sophomores. I think a lot of the younger guys stepping up has played a big part in (our success).”
Ty Stewart
Stewart, a junior right-handed pitcher, picked up the win on the mound and had two RBIs to help his cause. He allowed one earned run on six hits in six innings against the Pirates.
“I’m just letting that two-seam (fastball) run in, throwing strikes, and letting the defense work behind me,” Stewart said of his effort.
Stewart entered Tuesday’s game with a team-best 1.81 ERA and 15 RBIs.
“I’m just trying to help out the team,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what I do, as long as I’m helping out the team I'm doing my job.”
Braylon Lepley
The junior has been scorching in the batter’s box with a team-best .500 batting average. Lepley added three more hits and three RBIs to his season totals with an impressive showing against Lumberton.
“Just being confident at the plate and trying to compete with everybody,” Lepley said. “We’re just remembering everything we’ve worked on in the cages.”
Lepley has logged a hit in 14 of 15 games this season.
“I’m just being confident in myself,” he said. “Whatever looks good, hit it.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Gray's Creek baseball's top performers in Bears' win against Lumberton
