Phillips handcuffs Panthers in CBA's 6-2 win

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on April 7, 2016 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- The Pikeville Express finally took a detour.

Charles B. Aycock's varsity softball team, which has demoralized opponents with electrifying offense all spring, leaned on its pitching staff Wednesday night to stifle talented North Johnston, 6-2.

The non-conference victory moved Aycock to 14-0 on the year, but it wasn't without a few anxious moments.

North Johnston loaded the bases in the top half of the first inning against Golden Falcons pitcher Allie Phillips. But the senior, now 5-0, remained calm in the circle and scratched out of the jam.

She fanned catcher Jada Santiago.

She threw by Lexi Godwin.

She then induced a fly ball to end the inning.

It was the opening act of a gem from the lefty, who allowed two runs on four hits in six innings of work. She fanned nine North Johnston batters.

Aycock had coach LaVon Matthews was pleased with Phillips' ability to regain her rhythm.

"She gets really pumped up... real excited," said Matthews, "but when you calm her down, she can hit her spots."

From there, she did, and it was business as usual for Golden Falcons.

Aycock got on the board in the bottom half of the first inning, taking advantage of a rocky outing by North Johnston's Emma Turner. The senior's struggles -- which included a walk and a hit batsman -- were punctuated by a two-RBI double to center field by CBA's Taylor Puetz.

The Golden Falcons led 4-0.

The Panthers got a run in their half of the second, only to see its effect marginalized moments later by the bat of Aycock's Hannah Vinson. The sophomore ended Turner's evening by blasting a two-run homer over the scoreboard in left field.

Despite a quality relief effort by NJ freshman Amberlynn Pearce, who recorded six strikeouts on the night, it was a shift in momentum the Panthers never answered.

And Phillips, working with a 6-1 advantage, never looked back. The senior worked with a cold, calculated efficiency over the last four innings, retiring nine consecutive batters to close the affair. Her last blemish of the night was a fifth inning home run by NJ's Olivia Stewart.

Aycock played without third baseman Tanika "Mookie" Powell, who injured her ankle Tuesday evening. But according to Matthews, the setback is only temporary.

"She turned her ankle beating out a throw... she'll be out 10 days," he said. "We'll have her back next week."

Aycock travels to J.H. Rose on Friday.