Baseball -- CBA's Cunningham comes through

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on March 24, 2004 2:07 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock's Phillip Cunningham yielded no earned runs in eight innings of work and delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth as the Golden Falcons posted a 3-2, extra-inning win over West Craven at home on Tuesday.

The win improves Aycock to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference.

Travis Bartlett started the eighth-inning rally with a pinch-hit single. Alex Raper and Matthew Waddell then reached base with a pair of bunts. After West Craven recorded an out at the plate on a fielder's choice groundout, Cunningham then stepped and scored Raper with a single to seal the win.

"We didn't play particularly well yesterday, but we stayed in the game," Aycock coach Charles Davis said. "Every time we play West Craven, it's a battle. They came over to prove something, but fortunately we were able to get a win at home."

Cunningham finished with three hits, including a triple and two RBI. Aycock's Matthew Waddell and Josh Pate had two hits each with Pate providing a double. Bennett Jeffreys drove in a run for the Falcons.

Cunningham also pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the eighth. After loading the bases, Aycock guessed right on a pitch out and got the first out of the inning, then Cunningham went on to record the final two outs with his 12th and 13th strikeouts.

"Phillip (Cunningham) keeps his pitch count down low, and as the game goes on he gets stronger," Davis said. "He has really matured a lot this year, and he's showing those leadership qualities. He's taken it upon himself to lead by example.

"I'm proud of him for that."

Aycock travels to take on North Lenoir in non-conference action on Thursday.

West Craven 110 000 00 -- 2 5 0

C.B. Aycock 001 010 01 -- 3 11 3

Leading hitters -- C.B. Aycock -- Matthew Waddell 2-4; Phillip Cunningham 3-5, 2 RBI, 3B; Josh Pate 2-3, 2B; Bennett Jeffreys 1-4, RBI.

IP H R ER BB SO

West Craven

Brandon Braxton 4 7 2 2 5 7

Lemmie Barwick (L) 3 1/3 4 1 1 0 5

C.B. Aycock (5-1, 3-1)

Phillip Cunningham (W, 4-0)

8 5 2 0 1 13