N.C. State signee Baker Nelson pitched five and two-thirds innings as host Harnett Central took a 4-3 Tri-County Six 3-A Conference varsity baseball win over Western Harnett on Tuesday night.

Nelson allowed three hits and three runs (all earned) while walking three and striking out eight as the Trojans improved to 4-7 overall and 3-2 in the league.

Nelson helped his own cause with two hits and an RBI. Paul Gervase had two hits and two RBIs for the Trojans. Jared Raynor had a hit and an RBI.

Johnny Grizzard and Austin Swan also had hits for Central.

Gervase pitched an inning and one-third for the Trojans, walking four and striking out two without yielding a hit.

Bradley Wilson went four and two-thirds innings on the mound for Western. He allowed four hits and three runs (all earned) while walking five and striking out five. John Paul Taylor pitched one and one-third innings with a line that included two hits, one run (unearned) two walks and one strikeout.

Central scored three times in the fifth for a 3-0 lead. The Eagles answered with three runs in the top of the sixth. The Trojans got the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Caleb Scott had two hits and drove in two runs for Western. Wilson and Devonte Sanders also had hits as the Eagles fell to 8-11 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

Central hosts Cary in nonconference action tonight. The Trojans visit Western on Friday night.

Harnett Central defeated Western 7-0 in softball to improve to 8-6 overall and 5-0 in the Tri-County. Central hosts Fuquay-Varina in softball tonight (Wednesday, April 11).