Burroughs' HR lifts C.B. Aycock

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on April 4, 2012 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Meredith Burroughs started the game in the pitcher's circle.

She finished it at the plate.

Burroughs belted a long, two-run, walk-off home run and lifted Charles B. Aycock to a 4-3 comeback win over D.H. Conley on Tuesday night.

Burroughs' solo home run off the scoreboard in left field in the bottom of the first inning gave the Golden Falcons a 1-0 lead. Cierra Harris raced home from third base on a wild pitch in the home half of the second inning to increase the lead to 2-0.

The Vikings threatened with runners on first and third base with one out in the top of the fourth inning. Aycock third baseman Rachel Jordan fielded Ellie Dillon's ground ball and fired it to catcher Ivy Hartzell to throw out Caroline Roberson at the plate.

Lauren Porter's infield single scored Julia Allsbrook to pull Conley within 2-1.

Golden Falcons' left fielder Reagan Herndon made a diving catch to rob Courtney Gold of a hit in the top of the fifth inning.

Allsbrook tied the game at 2-2 with a two-strike RBI double in the top of the sixth inning. After the initial go-ahead run was thrown out at home, the Vikings went in front 3-2 as Dillon raced home on a passed ball.

"They're just aggressive on the bases," Aycock head coach Brad Matthews said. "They slap, they bunt and they put a lot of pressure on the defense. I couldn't be more proud of my girls for coming back and not letting up. We needed a game like that."

The Golden Falcons (12-2 overall) left the tying run at second base in the bottom of the sixth inning before getting their final rally in the bottom of the seventh. Brooke Bell lined a one-out single to left field before Burroughs stepped to the plate. Burroughs looked at a first-pitch strike and fouled off a pitch before driving Alicia Gurkins' final pitch of the game well over the right field fence.

"I was just thinking about hitting the ball back up the middle," Burroughs said. "The Lord gave me strength to do it. Honestly, I didn't think they were going to pitch to me. I just saw a perfect pitch to hit."

Burroughs (three RBI) and Herndon both finished with two hits. Cierra Harris earned the win inside the pitcher's circle with 12/3 innings of scoreless relief. Burroughs surrendered three runs (one earned) on four hits with one strikeout and five walks in 51/3 innings and settled for a no-decision.

Aycock visits Southern Wayne today.