Ring chasing: Aycock softball would like to revive 2012 title run

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 2, 2014 1:52 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- The value and longing for a state championship ring is taking shape in a different form than last year for the Charles B. Aycock softball team.

This Golden Falcons are a year older, wiser, hungrier and led by four seniors who aren't ready to pass along their respective high school jerseys to future players. Already co-owner of the program's 12th regular-season conference championship, Aycock is eager to revive that unforgettable title run from 2012.

Ironically, that squad was led by a determined group of seniors, too.

"Our team chemistry is very different," second-year CBA head coach Emily Burke said. "They're game-savvy ... think like softball players. There's a lot of respect for each other and they each know what the other is capable of doing.

"That's unusual when freshmen and sophomores are the bulk of your team, but it gives you the ability to grow and is certainly promising for the future."

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Coming off a 14-win season that ended abruptly in the second round of the playoffs and moving into a conference with four 4-A heavyweights, Burke expected to put a competitive team on the dirt this spring.

She hasn't been disappointed.

Aycock has outscored the opposition 167-43, including 127-21 in conference play this season. The Golden Falcons have scored 10-plus runs in 11 outings, posted seven mercy-rule victories and bat .404 as a team.

"Did I think we were going to score between 10 or 14 runs a game? Absolutely not," Burke said. "I was expecting to win, but not the margin being quite as big as it has been. I have expected some tighter games.

"We've been fortunate enough that our bats have been rolling. We're very aggressive at the plate, which is something we drill in their heads -- score early and often, and they've run with that literally."

Nine Golden Falcons possess batting averages of .400 or better, including N.C. State signee Meredith Burroughs. The senior utility player is hitting an eye-popping .606 with a monstrous slugging percentage of 1.242.

Campbell signee Cierra Harris hits .549 and leads the team in two categories -- hits (28) and stolen bases (15). The senior outfielder is one of three remaining players left from the 2012 state championship including Burroughs and Katie Gay.

Second-year starter Keeley Fulghum is third on the team with a .519 average. The third baseman trails only Harris in total hits (27) and has driven in 18 runs -- third-most on the team behind Burroughs (23) and Mckenzie Wheeler (22).

"A parent made a comment to me they were a little disappointed what our conference has shown (this season)," Burke said. "We've been pretty hot at the plate and our pitching has been pretty strong. We've got a good balance that's helping us move forward at the pace we're going."

Five Golden Falcon pitchers have combined for six shutouts inside the pitcher's circle. Sophomore left-hander Allie Phillips has a team-leading 1.07 earned run average in 46 innings of work.

Burroughs' pitches, due to her height, reach the plate quicker. Phillips' pitches break in a different manner than Burroughs, while Wheeler changes speeds well and Taylor Waddell has a solid drop ball.

The variety of pitching styles has led to a team ERA of 2.02.

"We can go side to side, up and down ... I've started to get into a groove calling pitches and seeing what works best for them," Burke said. ""We talk about the mental side of pitching when it comes to setting up batters. I think a lot of is maturity."

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Burke recognized a bonding during preseason workouts that never surfaced last season. The players' confidence has improved and despite the gap in age difference, the chemistry is stronger.

Aycock carries a nine-game win streak into its regular-season finale Tuesday at county rival Eastern Wayne. Burke's team has already secured the No. 1 seed among the 3-A schools in the conference due to its overall performance within league play.

The Golden Falcons are making their 24th consecutive postseason appearance, and seeking their sixth eastern regional championship in program history.

"They've seen the type of work it takes to get a state (championship) ring, and we're fortunate to have some of those state champs on this team," Burke said. "With the seniors, it's starting to set in that their careers at CBA are almost over."

Burke gave each senior an empty jar during their final regular-season home game. They each removed the lid as they walked onto the infield, scooped up some dirt and poured it into the jar.

The ritual carried little fanfare.

A few tears flowed from their eyes.

The jar will not only inspire memories of their playing days, but also serve as a symbol of induction into a sorority of softball sisters who laid the foundation of success and tradition before them.

"They've been seeing Aycock play since they were in elementary school and the school has such a good tradition," Burke said. "Their siblings have played here and I've played with some of their sisters. These girls are proud to have these uniforms on and it's special for them to be a part of that."