Panthers lose 10-inning thriller

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 9, 2004 2:00 AM

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KENLY -- Ayden-Grifton pushed across five runs in the top of the 10th inning to take a 7-2 win over North Johnston Friday night.

With the win, the Chargers (15-8, 8-3 Class 1-A Carolina Conference) remain in a tie atop the conference standings heading into Tuesday's game at home against Farmville Central.

Justin Stepps went the distance to earn the win, allowing only five hits and striking out five.

In the 10th, Alex McCarter led off with a double and Matt Brown was hit by a pitch. The next batter, Chris Nelson, singled and an error by the leftfielder allowed McCarter and Brown to score. Stepps and Alan Wainwright followed with RBI singles to give the Chargers a 7-2 lead.

North Johnston (11-11, 4-7 Carolina) hosts Spring Creek on Tuesday.