Spartans return to win column with convincing victory
Mar. 17—HENDERSON — Kerr Vance Academy continued its winning ways and improved to 2-2 on Thursday with a 10-0 victory over N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A opponent Oxford Prep.
An all-around effort from the Spartans gave them their third win all-time against the Griffins, as they snapped a two-game losing streak.
A three-run first inning provided all the run support head coach Mike Rigsbee's squad would need. In their third straight road contest, KVA scored in all but two innings, including a five-run fifth inning to put the mercy rule within reach.
Sophomore Jack Wiggins controlled the contest on the mound for the Spartans, throwing a complete game and allowing just five hits over five innings. Wiggins struck out eight batters in the process and moved to 1-0 on the year.
With his most complete performance on the young season, Wiggins was impactful at the plate as well, recording a game-high two hits, including a double and two runs batted in. Freshman Ayden Devine also tallied two hits in the win, while joining fellow first year Evan Johnson with a game-high two runs batted in.
Seven different Spartans combined for nine hits, batting an impressive .346 on the afternoon with six players recording RBIs.
While youth can present roadblocks early on in a season, it has not only provided a bright future for KVA, but an exciting present as well. Eight of the nine starters for the Spartans are underclassmen, including a combined six freshmen and middle schoolers.
With the defeat, Oxford Prep is now 2-3 on the year and dropped their first game to KVA since 2019.
Sophomores Gage Hobgood and Hunter Woodlief each recorded a hit in the contest, joining freshman Jayce Elliot and junior Kaden Camp as the four Griffins to record a base knock.
Elliot began the game on the bump for Oxford Prep, striking out five and allowing three earned runs over four innings.
Defensive execution was the Achilles heel for the Griffins, as they committed five errors, leading to five unearned runs.
Kerr Vance returned to action on Friday with their conference opener against Faith Christian, while Oxford Prep is idle until a Wednesday meeting with Vance County.
