2016 NHSI: Walton Bounces Back After Tough Loss

CARY, N.C.—Walton High head coach Shane Amos could sense a different energy from his players Friday. A day after the Marietta, Ga., school fell in stunning walk-off fashion in the National High School Invitational quarterfinals, the Raiders seemed noticeably subdued. They were quieter than usual—focused.

Determined to rebound from Thursday’s defeat, the Raiders did just that in Friday’s consolation game against Trinity Christian out of Jacksonville, Fla., defeating the Conquerors, 7-3, to move to 2-1 in the tournament.

“It’s a big win for us after last night,” Amos said. “After having the walk-off, I think our kids really needed this to pick themselves back up after how it ended last night, and I’m really proud of our kids with the way they came out.”

The Raiders took care of business early, taking the lead in the first on an RBI single by right fielder Jason Rooks. Walton then exploded for four runs in the second inning to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Shortstop Carter Kieboom—the No. 33 draft prospect and a Clemson commit—drove in one of those runs with a booming sacrifice fly that Trinity Christian center fielder J.C. Flowers had to chase down. It was an otherwise quiet day for Kieboom, who struck out twice and walked.

Jumping ahead early was important for the Raiders, facing a Trinity Christian team that utilizes speed as part of its offensive game, starting with the speedy Flowers at the top of the order. The big lead, as well as the pitching of righthander Chris Rolick, put the brakes on the Conquerers offense.

“You didn’t want to let those guys get on base and let them have a track meet out there on you,” Amos said. “So I think it was big for us. I think it slowed down their running game, and I think with our pitcher basically mixing two pitches for strikes today that really helped keep them off balance, and that really helped us get ground balls.”

Rolick, Walton’s No. 4 starter, held Trinity Christian to three runs on three hits in 5 1/3, walking four and striking out five. Other than allowing a home run to left fielder Logan Nugent in the second inning, the righthander kept the Conquerors mostly in check. When he ran into trouble in the sixth, righthander Connor Haseley came in and shut the door.

Though the Raiders are out of the running for the NHSI championship, Amos said his team has benefited from the tournament experience.

“To come up here and play the competition you’re playing day in and day out is something that I truly enjoy because you’ve got to come out here with your playing shoes on every day,” Amos said. “We’re right in the middle of our region play right now, so I think this was big for us to come up here and play some of these teams and know we can play tight games and we can go out there play.”