C.B. Aycock holds of North Lenoir softball
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 17, 2010 11:16 PM
PIKEVILLE -- C.B. Aycock did most of its damage in one inning, and bested North Lenoir 8-4 on the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference softball scene Friday evening.
The Golden Falcons scored six runs in a lengthy third-inning outburst.
Brooke Bell led off with a single, Connor Davis followed with a base hit and Autumn Pittman drew a walk. Bell and Davis each scored on back-to-back wild pitches. Sarah Beth Marquis walked, Rachel Jordan singled and Misty Edwards reached on a misplayed fielder's choice.
Ivy Hartzell reached on an error that plated two runs and Ashley Shingleton belted a two-run single to cap the scoring.
"I told the girls that it was an even game except for that inning," said North Lenoir head coach Heather Carson. "We had points where we looked really good and some points where it looked like things were falling apart."
Marquis hammered a solo home run in the fourth inning that increased the Golden Falcons' lead to 8-2.
North Lenoir battled back in the top of the fifth.
Aaryn Deal drew a one-out walk and Ashley Doughety singled. Deal scored on a throwing error and Courtney Hill plated Doughety with a single that cut the lead to 8-4.
Even though his team settled down and secured the victory, C.B. Aycock head coach Brad Matthews was not overly pleased with the way the win transpired.
"It's good to get a win and I am proud of the girls for that," said Matthews. "But at the same time, if we want to do anything once the playoffs roll around, we have to get better and eliminate some mistakes."
Brooke Bell earned the win in the pitcher's circle after tossing five innings and allowing two runs. Pittman struck out three Hawks over the last two innings in relief.
Aaryn Deal suffered the loss for North Lenoir (8-5 overall, 3-3 ECC). The Hawks will host Southern Wayne on Tuesday.
C.B. Aycock (10-4, 5-1) entertains Wilson Hunt on Monday afternoon and then battles South Johnston on Tuesday.