ZEBULON–Hyland Tyler went four for four and Jacob Long drove in all three runs for Whiteville as the Wolfpack edged Randleman 3-2 on Friday night in the opening game of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 2-A baseball championship series at Five County Stadium.

Whiteville jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-RBI single by Long, and then Long’s base hit in the top of the third drove home the Pack’s third run. Long had three hits in three trips to the plate.

Randleman cut it to 3-1 in the fourth when Easton Welch, who was also the losing pitcher, singled, stole second and scored on Cody Trogdon’s base hit. Trogdon led the Tigers with three hits and Welch had two hits in three trips.

The Tigers cut it to 3-2 when Cody Millikan doubled to left to lead off the fifth and then scored on a single by Logan Hussey.

Hunter Smith went the distance on the mound for the Wolfpack, scattering seven hits while striking out three and walking two.

Randleman, the defending state 2-A champions, dropped to 29-5 overall while Whiteville improved to 25-5, winning its 15th straight game. Whiteville is making its first appearance in the NCHSAA baseball finals since 1998 but has played for the title seven times previously, including in 1985 when these same two teams squared off for the title that was won by the Wolfpack in two straight.

Game two of the best-of-three is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

STATE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Class 2-A: Game One

Whiteville        2  0  1       0  0  0      0– 3    9    0

Randleman 0  0  0       1  1  0      0– 2    7    0

WP– Hunter Smith (7-4).  LP–Easton Welch (11-2).