On Friday afternoon, Apex and Garner squared off at Garner with a place in the NCHSAA 4A East Region Finals at stake.  Apex would strike early and hold off the Trojans in a 4-2 road win.

Garner’s RHP Brett Banks (2019, ECU commit) hit the first batter he faced (C.J. Conrad, 2018 Winthrop Commit) and walked the next two batters (Sam Highfill, 2019 and Cameron Roof, 2018 Winthrop Commit) before striking out Wyatt McInnis (2018) and Zachary Ferrell (2018 Pfeiffer Commit). The sixth batter of the inning, Tucker Jackson (2018), walked driving in the first run and brought Garner’s LHP Dylan Wheeler in to relieve Brett Banks. Wheeler gave up a single to Avery Ridout driving in 2 runs. Staked to a 3 run lead, the Cougars pitching and defense became the focus of the game.

Apex’s RHP Sam Highfill (2019) pitched a complete game scattering 10 hits.