DHC - CBA softball
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on March 3, 2011 1:47 PM
PIKEVILLE -- For six innings, Charles B. Aycock seemed poised for an uncharacteristically easy win over perennial powerhouse D.H. Conley on Wednesday evening.
The Vikings made things interesting in the top of the seventh inning and forced the Golden Falcons to hold on for a 3-2 victory on the softball diamond.
"We knew that D.H. Conley would be able to score runs in bunches and they almost did that to us tonight," said Golden Falcons head coach Brad Matthews. "We made a play in the final inning and it really saved it for us."
Trailing 3-1 entering their last at-bat, the Vikings got a lead-off single by Summer Mills, who scored two batters later on a fielder's choice. Kate Handley reached on an error with two outs and Brittany Owens belted a double off the right center-field fence.
C.B. Aycock center fielder Sierra Harris picked up the ball and fired it to second baseman Connor Davis. As Handley raced around third base, Davis unleashed a throw to home plate. Handley slid in late and was called out to end the game.
"We played a close game on (Tuesday) night against Wilson Hunt and this one was even closer," said Matthews. "We got one more big hit and made one more play in the field."
C.B. Aycock got on the board in the second inning when Davis singled, Jessica Hare reached on an error and Harris plated both runners with a single.
The Golden Falcons added another run in the third frame when Meredith Burroughs hammered a home run over the center field fence.
Ashley Shingleton claimed the win in the pitcher's circle. The right-hander allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out one batter.
"I thought Ashley mixed it up well and kept them off balance," said Matthews. "I was happy with how well she moved the ball in and out and didn't allow them to square up many balls."
C.B. Aycock (2-0 overall) travels to North Johnston on Friday.