The Buies Creek Astros topped visiting Down East 3-1 on Wednesday night and regained a half-game lead over Winston-Salem in the Carolina League Southern Division second-half season baseball standings. Bryan De La Cruz, Osvaldo Duarte and Carlos Canelon drove in runs for Buies Creek. Starter Patrick Sandoval (2-0) went seven innings with eight strikeouts. Colin McKee got his third save. … Former South Johnston football coach Hunter Jenks will be serving as co-athletic director at Clayton in addition to his duties as football and track coach for the Comets. … Dunn Area Sports received its 38,000th view since Feb. 4 on Wednesday. Thank you! … Croatia topped England 2-1 in a World Cup soccer semifinal and will meet France for the championship on Sunday at 11 a.m.