Golden Falcons play home run derby

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on April 17, 2010 11:16 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- It was scheduled as an Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference game.

It looked more like a home run derby.

Charles B. Aycock and North Lenoir combined to hit seven home runs in the Golden Falcons' 16-6, Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference victory in five innings on Friday night.

With the wind blowing out to left center field, Tyler Farmer got Aycock on the board with a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first inning. Adron Hollowell provided an RBI double and Jonathan Taylor's groundout scored Hollowell.

The Hawks answered with three runs of their own in the top of the second. Wil Sutton's RBI double scored Rand Jackson. Scott Ginn belted a two-run homer to center field to tie the game at 3-3.

Jeff Carmel and Farmer both hit two-run homers in the home half of the second inning to give the Golden Falcons a 7-3 lead.

"That was very important," said Aycock head coach Charles Davis. "When that situation arises where we jump out and they come back and tie it, that's huge. It's got to give them a little bit of life to come back to tie it up and that's huge for us to come right back and score."

Spencer Bass' two-run home run to left field off Golden Falcons' starting pitcher Eric DuBose cut the deficit to 7-5 in the top of the third.

Travis Musselman lined a two-run single in the bottom of the third to give Aycock a 9-5 cushion. Connor Narron's three-run homer increased the lead to 12-5. Tyler Ruffin added a solo home run.

Aycock (18-1 overall, 6-0 ECC) finished with 15 hits. Farmer collected three hits. Hollowell, Ruffin, Musselman and Carmel each had two hit.

"I thought we came out during batting practice," said Davis. "This is the first Friday night we've played all year at home. I think the kids were a little bit excited."

North Lenoir (6-10, 1-5 ECC) picked up a run on a fielder's choice in the top of the fifth.

Hollowell delivered an RBI single that scored Narron in the bottom of the sixth. Hollowell later scored on a wild pitch. Jordan Quinn's single to center and a Hawks' error that brought home Ruffin ended the ballgame.

DuBose earned the win on the mound, surrendering five earned runs on seven hits with a walk and two strikeouts in four innings of work.

Aycock entertains South Johnston on Tuesday, while North Lenoir visits Southern Wayne.