New Bern eliminates Wilson; Garner faces N. Raleigh

WILSON -- New Bern built an eight-run advantage and eliminated Wilson 12-6 from the Area I East Division playoffs Wednesday evening at historic Fleming Stadium. Post 24 claimed the series 2-1 and faces top-seeded Pitt County 39, which has yet to lose in four playoff outings.

The Area I East championship best-of-five series begins Thursday evening at Clark-LeClair Stadium on the East Carolina University campus. Pitt County 39 last won an Area I East tournament title in 1999.

Post 24 won both regular-season meetings against Pitt County 39.

Chris Holder ripped a three-run home run, his lone hit in four at-bats, in the first inning. Matt Sanders provided three hits and three RBI. Todd Seymour added two hits and two RBI. Dan Thomas contributed a hit and an RBI.

Lemmie Barwick earned the complete-game victory on the mound.

Garner and North Raleigh begin play Thursday evening in the Area I West finals.

Marc Locklear, Adam Hamrick, Bear Martin and Kyle Bridgers each had two hits for Garner, which ousted Fuquay-Varina 5-1 on Tuesday to win the American Conference.

North Raleigh, the National Conference champion, emerged the Area I runner-up in 2002 to Wayne County and defeated Snow Hill in the 2003 Area I final.