C.B. Aycock 'Burroughs' through Washington

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on May 27, 2009 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- It was a near-perfect revenge plot.

One year after enduring a 14-inning, season-ending defeat, the Charles B. Aycock softball team made amends Tuesday evening. Cynthia Burroughs tossed a complete-game no-hitter and provided the game-winning hit in a 1-0 conquest of Washington.

The Golden Falcons (24-2 overall) entertain No. 1-ranked D.H. Conley in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A eastern semifinals on Friday. The winner earns a berth in the final four at Walnut Creek.

Burroughs had no memory of Aycock's disheartening loss to the Pam Pack a year ago. The right-hander was busy leading Wayne Christian to its second consecutive state title on the 1-A independent schools scene.

"I knew how important this game was to everyone on this team," said Burroughs. "I knew that last season they lost a close game in extra innings and that our team wanted this win bad."

Washington hurler Charity Watson held Aycock scoreless and hitless until the sixth inning. The senior right-hander plunked Cara Frederick, who advanced to second on Brooke Bell's sacrifice bunt.

One out later, Burroughs stepped into the box and slapped an outside fastball into the left center-field gap. Without hesitation, second-year Golden Falcons coach Brad Matthews waved Frederick home.

The Pam Pack (16-7) couldn't make the play.

"I knew we had to be aggressive, especially with a scoring chance late in the game," said Matthews. "We knew this game was going to come down to one play and it turned out that we got the big hit at the right time."

Burroughs retired the Pam Pack in order in the seventh.

"Cynthia was really good tonight in the circle," said Matthews. "She was hitting her spots and every time she needed a big pitch she got it."

Washington threatened in the first inning. Burroughs hit Hayley Stowe and Brittany Bryant followed with a potential base hit to right field. But Stowe was called for runner's interference, which resulted in the second out.

A second runner's interference call ended the inning.

Burroughs cruised from that point.

"I just tried to work the outside corner a little more than usual," said Burroughs. "It looked like the umpire was calling the ball a little wide on the outside so I tried to take what I was given."

Burroughs finished with seven strikeouts, four walks and one hit batsman.

Aycock looks to avenge one of its two regular-season losses against Conley, the Coastal Conference champion. First pitch is 7 p.m. on the Pikeville diamond.

"We know that their team is solid," said Matthews. "I am really proud of these girls and I hope that we can play our best game on Friday night."