Aycock puts bat on the ball, also benefits from 12 walks

By Cam Ellis
Published in Sports on March 18, 2015 1:46 PM

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cellis@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Putting up 10 unanswered runs in less than five innings -- the standard guidelines for invoking the "mercy rule" that ends the game early -- is impressive.

Doing it twice seems unfair.

That's what Charles B. Aycock accomplished Tuesday afternoon, scoring 14 runs in the third inning during a 21-1 victory over Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference and county rival Southern Wayne.

The Saints experienced trouble from the start.

Starting pitcher Derek Holsinger walked the first three batters on 13 pitches and left the game without recording an out. The five pitchers who followed didn't fare much better, allowing 18 runs on 11 hits and seven walks.

Meanwhile, CBA senior Jacob Naughton got the nod and tossed four innings of four-strikeout ball.

"I just kept throwing strikes," Naughton said. "They weren't hitting the ball very well, so I kept running up with my fastball, which allowed me to throw some off speed [pitches].

"The competition with other pitchers is what drives us to get better. Knowing that you have to compete to get that start on the mound on Tuesday. It definitely drives you."

The Golden Falcons turned in a season-high offensive effort that included 12 free passes. Aycock's presence in the batter's box pleased head coach Charles Davis.

Aycock batted around in the third inning. Naughton had three RBI. Bobby Hampton, Braxton Leeper and Hank Smitherman each had two RBI.

"(Our plate appearances were) much better," he said. "We were patient and we took walks when we had to take walks, but we also hit pitches when we had to."

Even with most of the second-string players in the lineup by the middle of the third inning, the Golden Falcons didn't skip a beat. Reserves Lloyd Lowe, Chandler Matthews and Cameron Kornegay each had RBI of their own.

"We're still looking for people that are going to hit," Davis said. "Sometimes it cane be hard to come into a situation when the game is already out of hand, but I thought the kids' approach at the plate was very good."

The Golden Falcons improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the ECC.

"I like our chemistry," Davis said. "I like that we can put different guys in the lineup. Our pitching staff hasn't walked many people, and in high school, if you don't walk many people you put yourself in a position to win."

Naughton likes the chemistry, too.

"Definitely the atmosphere," Naughton said when asked about what has excited him most about the team this year. "Everyone is here to win. We're positive and it's getting better and better every time we play.

Aycock entertains Wilson Hunt today.