Fulghum's first-inning HR wakes up Golden Falcons' offense

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 18, 2015 1:46 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Someone in Fremont might have found a yellow softball in their front yard this morning.

Keeley Fulghum put it there.

The Charles B. Aycock junior couldn't resist the pitch.

Southern Wayne right-hander Rachel Grady wished she had missed her spot.

Fulghum deposited a first-inning, three-run homer deep behind the left-field fence that provided the springboard for Charles B. Aycock's 23-0, mercy-rule conquest of county rival Southern Wayne on Tuesday afternoon.

"It was a first pitch, so I didn't see much," said Fulghum, who ended the day 2-for-2 with four RBI. "I just planned on going to the plate and being aggressive because I haven't been as aggressive as I usually am. It was a low, inside pitch and I just tried to drive it and get those runs in.

"That gave us a head start on the game."

Freshman Cassandra Lassiter led a 20-hit parade with 3-for-4, four-RBI performance in the 4 1/2-inning contest. Allison Shingleton (two RBI), reserve Michaela Thompson (RBI), Taylor Puetz (four RBI) and Connor Vinson provided two hits apiece.

Hannah Carter (two RBI), Mackenzie Wheeler, Taylor Waddell (RBI), Madison Walton, Hannah Vinson (RBI), Abbie Walton (RBI) and Georgia Parnell each contributed one hit.

Aycock had 20 RBI as a team and batted .591 (13 for 22) with runners in scoring position. The Golden Falcons sent a combined 27 hitters to the plate in the second and third innings.

"We hit the ball well, not just one player, but the whole team ... even the subs who have not been playing a lot this year," CBA interim coach LaVon Matthews said. "Our freshmen are the swinging the bats well and hitting the ball hard. I can't point out one particular girl who stood out above anybody else."

CBA's pitchers certainly did.

Wheeler and Shingleton combined for a three-hitter, five strikeouts and one free pass inside the pitcher's circle. Shingleton emerged as the winning pitcher.

The duo allowed just four base runners, which were all stranded in scoring position by the Saints. Pitt Community College signee Haley Warren batted 2-for-2, while Alyssa Tart connected on a fifth-inning double.

"Mackenzie did have good control, threw strikes when she needed to, was very aggressive and that's what we need for us to move forward," Matthews said. "Allison pitched a good ballgame, threw strikes and I was proud to see that because it's been a while since she's been on the mound. She did a wonderful job.

"We've got a good enough defense that we don't worry about other teams hitting the ball. Our defense is going to take us a long ways."

The Golden Falcons (4-1 overall) remained unbeaten in two Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference games this spring.

Southern Wayne exited 0-5.

"Aycock is always competitive, always good," said SW head coach Alyssa Bradshaw, whose team endured its third shutout of the season and hasn't scored in 20-plus consecutive innings.

"Yeah, they (CBA) played ball, but we beat ourselves tonight. I told the girls we had to swing the bats, field ground balls and run hard. It's hard to do anything with three hits."