Providence rallies to overcome Ardrey Kell in high school baseball showdown

Danny Hignight is still learning new things about his Providence High baseball team – 23 games into the season.

On Tuesday night, he learned that the Panthers can come from behind.

“I think that’s the first time we’ve had to do that this season,” Hignight said, after Providence rallied past visiting Ardrey Kell 7-5 in a battle of North Carolina prep heavyweights.

The Panthers — 22-1 overall and 9-0 in the Southwestern 7A/8A Conference — scored four times in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase an Ardrey Kell lead.

“This is a great group of kids,” Hignight said. “Tonight, they made some absolutely big plays.”

Ardrey Kell (20-3, 8-1) will have a chance to even the score with the Panthers at home Friday night in the regular-season finale.

“These were two really good baseball teams,” said Hignight, who earned his 500th career coaching victory earlier this season. “Both teams are highly-ranked, and they showed why tonight.”

Providence was ranked No. 2 among 8A teams in last week’s state rankings, compiled by The Observer. Ardrey Kell was No. 6.

In addition to a rematch Friday, the teams could meet again in next week’s conference tournament, and possibly again in the state playoffs.

“Whoa!” Hignight responded, when asked about potential postseason meetings. “You don’t put the cart before the horse. Strange things can happen in the playoffs.”

Strange things also happened Tuesday night.

Some fans might have expected the two powerhouses to engage in a tightly-contested 2-1 pitchers’ duel. But Tuesday’s game was anything but.

The four pitchers, two from each team, collectively hit seven batters. Each team had nine hits. And a balk played a key role in Providence’s rally.

Ardrey Kell scored four times in the fourth inning for a 5-3 lead.

The rally happened with two outs, and it included three hit batsmen by Providence pitchers, along with a walk and a solitary hit. That hit was a two-run double by cleanup batter Colby Epperly, who went 3-for-3 and was intentionally walked.

Providence’s sixth-inning rally also happened with two outs.

Providence’s Jack Pejot walked, and amid chants of “Overrated!” from Ardrey Kell fans, Jaxon Haynes singled to right field. Whit McCammon then smacked a double into the gap in left field, driving home two runs and tying the game.

“That hit by McCammon was really big for us,” Hignight said.

Asher Lyon then beat out an infield hit on a very close play at first base. Ardrey Kell coach Shawn Pettinati appealed the call to the plate umpire but was overruled. McCammon, who had stolen third base, scored on Lyon’s hit for the go-ahead run.

Jackson Debe then singled, Ryan Cox reached on a passed ball on a third strike and Lyon scored.

One pitch before the third strike, Cox had appeared to fly out to left field, but umpires ruled that Ardrey Kell pitcher Colin Fisher had balked.

That gave Providence a 7-5 lead, heading into the top of the seventh.

“But they’re a good team, and they kept battling,” Hignight said of the Knights.

Leadoff hitter Parker Vanstory doubled, and Epperly was intentionally walked with nobody out.

Providence reliever Parks Ryan responded by retiring Cole Zindars on a sacrifice and then striking out the final two Ardrey Kell hitters.

Ryan got the victory, pitching shutout ball and striking out six in 3 1/3 innings.