By Willie McLawhorn
Sports Writer
LASKER — The seventh-seeded Northeast Academy Eagles scored a tough win over the number 10 seed Waccamaw Academy Warriors here on Friday afternoon in first round action of the North Carolina Independent Athletic Association playoffs.

Behind the six-hit pitching of Will Glover and the three-hit, two-RBI performance of Ryan Williams, the Eagles claimed a 5-1 victory.

The Eagles broke open a 2-1 game plating three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Glover coaxed a one out walk off Lance Caffee, the Waccamaw pitcher. Davis Harrell followed with a double, leaving runners on second and third for Williams who delivered his second triple of the game knocking in both Glover and Harrell.

Clay Robbins then delivered an RBI-groundout to give the Eagles their final score.

It looked for a while like this was going to be a pitcher’s duel as both pitchers began the game firing bullets striking out five of the first eight batters of the game.

However, the Eagles were able to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second without the benefit of a base hit. Austin Bryant led off with a walk and following a wild pitch and a fielder’s choice, scored on a Warrior error.  It was déjà vu in the fourth inning as Bryant again led off the inning with a walk and later came around to score on an error as the Eagles, for the second time, scored without the benefit of a base hit.

Waccamaw Academy scored its lone run in the top of the fifth frame.

Blake Davis led off with a double and later scored on a two out single by Hunter White.  But a groundout ended any further scoring that inning.

“I’m excited,” said Eagles coach Billy Boy Bridgers.

“Outstanding pitching, good defense, and timely hitting, are hard to beat,” he continued.

In pitching the complete game, Glover allowed the six hits while striking out eight Warrior batters.

The Eagles played flawless defense and Williams delivered a timely hit — the formula for a win on this overcast spring afternoon.

So now the Eagles with their 11-6 record move on to the second round where they will face number two seed Faith Christian School on Tuesday.