ECBL: CBA Blue's Casey tosses 4-hit gem

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on June 27, 2014 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock's Landon Casey hadn't pitched since the spring.

Since CBA Blue had a taxed stable of pitchers, head coach Allen Thomas gave Casey the ball in hopes he could eat a few innings.

He ate all seven.

The left-hander threw a four-hit gem -- a 9-0 shutout over Rosewood in an Eastern Carolina Baseball League game at Charles Davis Field on Thursday evening. Casey threw just 73 pitches.

"He got out there threw strikes, pitched to contact and our defense played well," Thomas said. "I couldn't be more proud of him going out there when we needed him and giving us that performance."

Casey didn't overpower Rosewood's hitters and overcame a shaky first inning. He fixed his mechanics, got the ball down in the zone and cruised through five innings

The Eagles had three hits in the seventh, but Casey preserved the shutout.

"I knew my defense was behind me so I just got them pop-ups and ground balls," said Casey, who forced Rosewood into 12 flyouts in his first start on the mound.

"I was just throwing my curveball keeping them off balance."

Casey received plenty of run support. The Golden Falcons had nine hits, including four hits in a four-run, second-inning outburst.

CBA Blue got its lead-off batter on base in every inning and that success led to four runs. Brandon Palmer, the Golden Falcons' lead-off hitter in the lineup, finished 2 for 2 with two stolen bases, an RBI and two runs scored. He was also hit by a pitch.

Palmer made a case to become Garrett Joyner's replacement at the top of the order next spring. Joyner graduated and is currently playing with Wayne County Post 11.

"We've got to find somebody to replace Joyner at the top," Thomas said. "The competition is wide open. We're giving everyone an opportunity and if he keeps doing what he's supposed to do he's to get his chance to hit there for us."

Charlie Robertson solidified the Golden Falcons (9-2 overall) in the middle of the order. He had two hits, including a two-RBI double in the fifth inning. Later in the inning with CBA Blue ahead 8-0, Lloyd Lowe drove in Robertson with a single to right field.

Kyle Davis tried to score from second to force the mercy rule but he was thrown out by Kahlil Warren at the plate. Warren's throw was the highlight of Rosewood's game.

"They didn't come ready to play today," Rosewood coach Barry Bradley said. "They weren't focused. I think they wanted to be somewhere else to be quite honest."

Nick Neal endured the pitching loss, giving up five runs on six hits in two innings. Tucker Chapin, Jonathan Peacock and Kolby Harris pitched in relief for the Eagles. Blake Dean led the Eagles' offense with a double. Bryce McKeel, Warren and Neal each had a hit apiece.

Rosewood plays host to Southern Wayne on Monday, while CBA Blue faces South Lenoir.