CBA Blue cranks out mercy-rule shutout over Rosewood

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on June 6, 2013 1:47 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- With a roster bursting at the seams with varsity experience, Charles. Aycock Blue has high expectations this summer.

On Wednesday evening, it showed why the confidence level is high in Pikeville.

Aycock Blue pounded out 16 hits and rolled to a 16-0, mercy-rule victory over Rosewood in an Eastern Carolina Baseball League game at Charles Davis Field.

Five CBA batters tallied at least two hits apiece.

"We're all expecting the same things," Aycock Blue outfielder Bobby Hampton said. "I think this summer will help for next season. The more we play together the more we'll get better."

Rosewood threatened in the top of the second inning with runners on first and third base, and two outs. Matt Parsons was thrown out trying to steal second to end the threat.

Rosewood had runners on the corners with one out in the top of the third inning. Aycock starting pitcher Trent Herndon used a strikeout and a fly out to work out of trouble.

Aycock took a 1-0 lead on Hank Smitherman's RBI single in the bottom of the third inning. Two batters later, Hampton lined a two-run single into left field. The Blue team picked up a pair of runs on wild pitches.

Logan Runyon, Alex Burke, Logan Brown and Jacob Harrison each supplied an RBI single as the margin swelled to 8-0. Smitherman capped the nine-run outburst with his second RBI single of the inning.

"Hitting is contagious," Hampton said. "We've been playing together since we were nine or 10 and it's helped us out a lot. We all know what we're thinking basically."

Noah West's sacrifice fly in the home half of the fourth inning increased the Golden Falcons' lead to 10-0. Aycock Blue also plated a run on an Eagles' error. Connor Crandall contributed an RBI single and Ryan Davis hit into a run-scoring fielder's choice. Smitherman picked up his third and fourth RBI of the game with a double to center field. Herndon tacked on an RBI single.

Herndon pitched four scoreless innings and surrendered four hits with four strikeouts and a walk. Jake Naughton tallied two strikeouts in an inning of relief.

"I thought Trent did excellent," Hampton said. "Just seeing him come in and step up the way he has been it looked really good. He's done a good job."

C.B. Aycock Blue (3-1) entertains North Lenoir in a doubleheader today, while Rosewood is at home for a pair of games with Aycock White.