Shots near Fleming interrupt post-13 game against Jacksonville

Let's just say a shot in the dark may have prevented the resurgent Wilson American Legion baseball team from extending its winning streak to three games on a seemingly ideal Sunday night at Fleming Stadium.

Not one shot, but several were fired in a neighborhood behind Fleming Stadium, twice leading to a stoppage of play in Post 13's nonleague matchup with Jacksonville's Post 265.

Zone I East Division Post 13 erupted for six runs after two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend its lead to 11-4 when the first outburst occurred.

Those in the stand did not panic, but players and coaches from both teams were instructed to take shelter in the dugouts. A few minutes later, the teams were allowed to return to the field, but they were there momentarily when the second session took place.

After a third round of gunfire shortly thereafter, Wilson head coaches Matt Ballance and Jacksonville athletic official Rick Zickafoose readily agreed to suspend play for the evening.

Wilson police reportedly apprehended a suspect after the third burst of gunfire. However, in the interest of absolute security, stadium occupants had to wait several minutes before being informed that they were free to leave the premises.

Zickafose, Post 265 athletics manager and head coach as well as Zone II commissioner, pointed out that about 25 years ago, his team faced a shooting incident during a game in Belleville. He said the balls landed in left field.

So, Wilson remains at 3-1, while Post 265 is at 1-3. Post 13 travels to Wayne County for a rematch Monday night. The Wilson-Jacksonville game will be over when Wilson travels to Jacksonville on June 20.

“We have to finish this,” Ballance stressed.

Post 13 was clinging to a 5-4 lead when the fifth set assault occurred.

With two outs, three successive walks loaded the bases. A two-run single from pinch hitter Dominic Robbins ended the night for Jacksonville starting right-hander Jacob Racine, who struck out 11 of the 14 batters he struck out.

“(Racine) convinced me to let him throw in front of that batter,” assistant coach Tim Goins said, “and we got burned.”

Landon Coleman, another pinch hitter from Post 13, hit a two-run single, and leadoff hitter Aydn Gooding capped the uprising with a two-run double from reliever Lucas Roberts.

“All the runs came down to two outs,” Ballance noted eagerly. “I’m super proud of that two-out hustle.”

“The game was good until the fifth inning,” lamented Zickafoose. “Then it was ruined. Five errors cost us five points.

After taking a 5-2 lead, Wilson stayed in the lead thanks to a strong, accurate throw from Gooding in the top of the fifth. Catcher Vasco Sutton attempted to score from second base on first baseman Jake Goins' single, but was interrupted on Gooding's throw.

“I saw the shot go through the middle,” Gooding replayed. “I tried, at least, to get closer. I didn't concentrate too much on trying to keep us ahead; I just made sure I played the game.”

Gooding's two-run single capped a 2-for-4 performance at the plate. He was the third Wilson batter in the fifth to drive in two runs with a hit.

“I was just trying to make sure I kept the streak going,” he said. “It was an off-speed pitch. I stayed back and got my pitch. I tried to make sure I got the barrel (of the bat) on it.

Gooding moved into first place after batting ninth in the order earlier in the week.

“Coach was trying to get something going at the bottom of the lineup,” he said. It doesn't matter to me as long as I help the team.

Trailing 2-0, Post 13 scored five runs in the third as Gooding, left fielder Maurice Love and catcher Seth Scott each singled. Pinch hitter Tyson Foster doubled.

“We’re playing good baseball right now,” Ballance said. “It was really good to see different kids doing good things.”

Of the four runs scored against post 13 right-hander Daniels in his first start, only one was earned. Daniels will be the winning pitcher if Wilson wins.

Third baseman Mason Myers doubled and Racine singled in Post 265's first two-run run. Roberts hit an RBI single in the fourth. Goins' single cut the lead to 5-4 and chased Daniels into the fifth.

Right-hander Tristan Stancil relieved and crushed the heave with a strikeout. If Wilson continues to win, Stancil could be eligible for the save.

“Daniels is just wild enough to be effective,” Ballance said. “When Tristan throws strikes, he is effective; it has a plus slider.

Score per round:

Jacksonville 200 11

Wilson 005 06

Match suspended by gunfire.

LEADING HITTERS — Jacksonville: Mason Myers 1-2, 2B, RBI; Jake goes 1-3, RBI; Jacob Racine 1-2, RBI; Lucas Roberts 1-2, RBI; Wilson: Landon Coleman 1-1, 2 RBIs; Maurice Love 2-3, RBI; Seth Scott 1-2, RBI, 2 R; Tyson Foster 1-1, 2B; Aydn Gooding 2-4, 2B, 2 RBIs.