Smith, Henderson pitch Northgate to Junior Varsity win

Robert Smith and Eric Henderson combined to allow hits over seven innings as the Northgate Vikings defeated the East Coweta Indians 5-1 in a junior varsity baseball game played Friday in Sharpsburg.
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Connor Mask was hit by a pitch and with one out eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Northgate added to the lead in top of the second inning as Keelen Sloan reached on a walk and Smith doubled to left field.
Sloan came home on a a passed ball and Smith moved to third before scoring on a sacrifice fly to center field by Darren Kirkley.
The Indians got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third as Caleb Cashion reached on an error in the outfield and advanced to third before coming home when Trevor Crowdis grounded out to shortstop.
Northgate scored twice in the top of the fourth inning as Sloan and Smith reached on consecutive singles with Sloan coming home on a passed ball and Henderson scoring from third on a sacrifice fly to center by Mask.
The 5-1 Vikings' lead was in danger after one out in the bottom of the frame as Jeff Sangster reached on a dropped third strike followed by consecutive singles from Tanner Floyd and Ethan Walker that loaded the bases.
Walker led EC in hitting with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
However, Smith rebounded and was able to retire the next two batters with a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat.
Smith, who had two hits at the plate, was relieved by Henderson with one out in the bottom of the fifth after William Kelley was hit a by a pitch.
In four and one-third innings on the hill, Smith allowed three hits and one walk while recorded five strikeouts in picking up the win.
Henderson would get out of the fifth with a strikeout and a flyball then allowed singles to Kelley and Walker in the final two innings of the game
In his relief appearance, Henderson recorded three strikeouts.
Northgate is scheduled to play a junior varsity doubleheader at home Saturday morning at 10:00 against Newnan while EC is scheduled to travel to Peachtree City for a 5:30 game against McIntosh.