Golden Falcons rally from seven-run deficit

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 23, 2008 2:04 AM

• Print
• Email

KINSTON -- Charles B. Aycock felt a gut-wrenching sense of deja vu when South Central raced to a seven-run lead Saturday.

This time, however, the Golden Falcons didn't crumble.

Coming off a season-low, two-run output two days ago, Aycock capitalized on some breaks and delivered timely hits in a come-from-behind, 11-7 victory in the George Whitfield Invitational.

"We kept fighting back," said Golden Falcons coach Charles Davis. "We played hard and were maybe asleep the first three innings, but woke up after that."

South Central claimed the early advantage against Golden Falcons hurler Bryant Hill. The senior right-hander issued seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and posted three strikeouts.

"Bryant pitched a lot better than what his numbers showed," said Davis. "He made great pitches, but they were 'seeing-eye' hits."

Aycock gave Hill some run support in the third inning. Jordan Carr's two-run single capped the surge as the Golden Falcons pulled within 7-3.

Hill threw a scoreless fourth and Aycock, which claimed its fourth straight Invitational win, put together another three-run rally. Will Edgerton cranked out an RBI single and Connor Narron (2-for-2) drove home a run on a sacrifice fly.

Edgerton crossed on a wild pitch and closed the gap to 7-6.

Reliever Josh Martin replaced Hill after the fourth inning and promptly silenced South Central's offense. The junior right-hander retired all nine batters he faced in a three-inning stint and notched one strikeout.

"I was very satisfied with Josh's effort," said Davis.

Narron mashed a one-out triple and scored the game-tying run on a wild pitch. South Central's pitching staff broke down from that point. Aycock parlayed two hit batsmen, three walks, a wild pitch and a balk into four runs for the 11-7 final.

The Golden Falcons finished with nine hits.

"We had some quality at-bats and drew eight walks," said Davis. "We didn't swing at any bad pitches, either."

Aycock (7-3 overall) faces West Craven on Monday. First pitch is 4 p.m. at Kinston High School.