ECBL: CBA Blue sweeps twinbill from South Lenior

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on June 17, 2016 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- As good as advertised.

Charles B. Aycock Blue, a summer roster extension of the school's prolific junior varsity baseball team, lived up to advanced billing Thursday evening, sweeping a twinbill in commanding style versus Eastern Carolina Baseball League foe South Lenoir.

Game one was secured in concise, 11-0 fashion by the hosts. The nightcap, a 9-0 powder blue thumping, was finalized in just 74 minutes.

Aycock starting pitcher Cody Whaley dictated the opener, controlling the affair by pounding the strike zone with a seasoned mixture of heat and offspeed wizardry. In total command from the outset, the righty allowed just two hits en route to the complete game victory.

The junior-to-be also fanned six Blue Devils and induced six assisted putouts.

Offensively, the Golden Falcons were paced by Joey Hampton, who served as the touchstone for a second-inning explosion that effectively sealed the game's outcome. Leading 1-0, his perfectly-placed bunt loaded the bases and allowed the hosts to plate five more runs in a manic, rotating version of warp speed.

After two innings, Aycock led 6-0.

"Overall, we swung the bats well," skipper Allen Thomas noted, "and took advantage of some mistakes... taking what the defense gives you. That's going to create scoring chances."

The opportunistic flare-up was more than enough support for Whaley, whose curve ball confused and frustrated South Lenoir batters throughout game one. Over his final four frames, the Blue Devils managed two hits -- an infield scratch by Jake Weatherington and a back-side blow to right field by catcher Gavin Harrell.

Aycock surged again in its half of the fourth, essentially closing matters with a quartet of RBI from Luke Frederick, Nick Aycock, Joey Hampton and Carson Smitherman. The foursome finished the opening installment a combined 5-for-8 from the plate.

Whaley drew the curtains on South Lenoir in the fifth, coaxing a ground ball from Landon Stroud and then seating his final two batters via strikeout.

Game two was much a replica of the first, with Blake Gipson assuming the cliff for Aycock. His effort -- a winning, four-frame mixture of two hits and five return-to-dugout seating vouchers -- provided ample comfort for his mates to be selective in the batter's box.

And select they did.

Aycock plated two runs in the first inning, four in the second and three more over the final two frames. A clinic in contact hitting, the show featured nine hits by half a dozen players.

Conversely, South Lenoir struggled, managing just four hits in game two. Led by Trace Marshburn's 2-for-2 effort, the Blue Devils also recorded base knocks from relief pitcher Owen White and third baseman Landon Stroud.

In total, it was a comprehensive performance by Aycock -- and one monitored carefully by Thomas.

"(Whether) you're up or down a lot, we challenge our guys to make sure they continue to do the little things correct," the coach said.

The blue crew's next opportunity to do so is Monday, when they travel to Wilson Fike.