Mount Airy dropped just its second game of the season in a 4-0 loss to Uwharrie Charter.
Hundreds of fans surrounded the field to see the No. 1-ranked Granite Bears host the No. 2 Eagles in Game 1 of the 1A West Regional Championship Series. Uwharrie is the defending 1A State Champion, while Mount Airy is riding its best season since 1939.
The visitors took advantage of early walks to put four runs on the board across the second and third innings. Mount Airy held Uwharrie scoreless the rest of the evening, but failed to string together enough hits to get on the board themselves.
The 4-0 loss marks Mount Airy’s first defeat since Feb. 29, and is the team’s first against a 1A opponent this season. The Bears hadn’t even trailed in more than a month.
“To get shut out tonight is a real gut check,” said Mount Airy coach Josh Wilson.
Uwharrie (25-5) scored three of its four total runs in the second inning. Three Eagles were walked to load the bases with two outs, then Alex Carver earned a base on balls to break the 0-0 tie. The visitors’ next batter, Walker Wilkins, sent a ground ball down the left field line to bring in two more runs.
The Eagles loaded the bases once again in the third inning after two walks and a single. A hit to right field from Landon Zephir brought in Uwharrie’s final run.
“The difference in the game was walks; we had seven and their guy only threw one,” Wilson said. “Every run they got was free. You’re not going to give away four early runs like that and expect to beat a team of this caliber.”
Ian Gallimore took over on the mound for the Bears midway through the third inning. The senior, who hadn’t pitched a full inning all season, didn’t surrender a single run during Tuesday’s game.
“Ian’s a competitor, and I think he’s gained a lot of poise in high-pressure situations with all the success they’ve had in football,” Wilson said. “He hasn’t pitched a lot in games, but throws every practice and stays ready. He came in tonight and threw strikes when we needed him to.”
Even with the lopsided scoreboard, Mount Airy (25-2) only finished with two fewer hits than Uwharrie. Including bases via error, Mount Airy put runners on in six of seven innings. However, four of Mount Airy’s five hits came with two innings on the board.
Jake Hunter pitched a complete game for the Eagles. The sophomore finished with seven strikeouts, one base on balls and one hit allowed.
“We were able to hit their number one guy, but just couldn’t get much going to support that,” Wilson said. “A lot of that has to do with how we reacted to certain things. The big thing for us is staying under control from the shoulders up. I feel like we could’ve made a run at them at any point, but that roller coaster of emotions can’t be there. We have to stay even-keeled on Thursday, and I think if we can come out and score early that’ll really do a lot for us.
“I don’t want it to be over, and they don’t want it to be over, but the response mentally that we have next game is going to determine that. And I really think they’ll come back ready to play. This is a senior-heavy team and I think they’re going to set the tone for us.”
Game 2 of the 1A West Regional Championship Series is scheduled for May 23 at Uwharrie Charter. The game will be held at 834 Ludlum Lane in Asheboro.
“Tonight’s over, and we can’t change anything about it,” Wilson said. “We’re just going to go home, sleep it off then come back ready to play. The only thing we’re thinking about is extending the series to get back here.
“If we play to our potential, I don’t think anybody is better than us in a three-game series. We just have to play like we know we’re capable of and keep our emotions in check.”
Pitching
Uwharrie Charter
Jake Hunter — 7 IP, 7K, 1 BB, 0 HBP, 5H, 0R
Mount Airy
Brison George — 2 IP, 1K, 5 BB, 0 HBP, 2H, 4R
Ian Gallimore — 5 IP, 2K, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 5H, 0R
Scoring
(2) Uwharrie — 0, 3, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0 — 4
(1) Mount Airy — 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 — 0
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