CBA uses extra-base hits to beat Kinston

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 16, 2008 2:04 AM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock used the "extra-base hit" factor to remain unbeaten on the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference baseball scene Friday afternoon.

Tyler Ruffin mashed a home run and the Golden Falcons cranked out four extra-base knocks overall in a 4-0 conquest of Kinston. The two-time defending ECC regular-season and tournament champion, C.B. Aycock (5-2 overall) improved to 2-0 in league play this spring.

"It's (5-2) is a pleasant surprise because we have beaten some tough teams," said Golden Falcons head coach Charles Davis. "We're sitting better this year after two conference games than last year because we were 1-1 after Kinston beat us.

"All the games in the conference are big."

Senior catcher Zach Wright, who has signed with East Carolina, broke a scoreless tie in the third inning. He belted a two-RBI double and gave starting left-hander Eric Dubose a working margin on the mound.

Ruffin, who also doubled, followed with his solo shot in the fourth inning.

The lead swelled to 4-0 on Jordan Carr's RBI double in the sixth.

C.B. Aycock manufactured nine hits in the 61/2-inning affair. Bryant Hill batted 2-for-4. Connor Narron added one hit in one official plate appearance, but reached base on two walks and got hit by a pitch.

"The only negative was we did leave 11 runners on base and that's the only thing I can find fault with (the game)," said Davis. "It was a matter of timing; different factors. We still had some good quality at-bats, but just hit the balls right at them.

"They made the plays, too."

Dubose, in his second start of the season, limited the Vikings to two hits in a five-inning stint. The sophomore logged six strikeouts and four walks. Jimmy Kearney, a junior right-hander, supplied two innings of one-hit, two-strikeout relief for his first save of the season.

"Eric gave us five solid innings," said Davis. "I was pleased with his outing last week against North Lenoir and very pleased again today."

The Golden Falcons visit Wilson Hunt on Tuesday. First pitch is 5 p.m.