SOFTBALL: CBA overcomes error-filled effort

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 9, 2017 9:57 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock has posted a clean worksheet through three softball games this season, but head coach Lavon Matthews is far from satisfied.

Wednesday evening proved his point.

The Golden Falcons committed eight errors -- seven in the infield -- and managed to squeeze out an 8-5, non-conference victory over North Lenoir.

"It was unreal...easy ground balls," said a red-faced and irate Matthews, who voiced his displeasure during a lengthy post-game meeting.

"Our defense has got to play better. I am very disappointed."

The defensive miscues were countered by right-hander Makenzie Wheeler, who threw a complete-game seven-hitter inside the circle. Fully recovered from shoulder surgery, Wheeler walked one and sat down six NL batters on strikeouts.

"If Makenzie hadn't pitched such a good game, we would have been in trouble," Matthews said. "To be as talented as these girls are, they looked pitiful in the infield (tonight)."

Aycock, for the third consecutive outing, allowed its opponent to take an early lead.

North Lenoir held a 1-0 advantage through 1 1/2 innings.

The Golden Falcons' zero on their side of the scoreboard vanished in the bottom of the second inning. Cassandra Lassiter doubled, Wheeler legged out an infield hit and Georgia Parnell ripped a screaming shot down the third-base line to load the bases.

Connor Vinson plated the game-tying run on a squeeze bunt single. Mookie Powell laced a two-RBI single up the middle.

Wheeler held the Hawks scoreless during a five-inning stretch and received some working room in the fourth.

Hannah Vinson's single and stolen base set the table for an RBI single by Taylor Puetz. Cara Lenzi connected on a single to left field and Lassiter smacked a double off the center-field fence.

"I really thought that one was gone," Matthews said.

NL rallied with a four-hit seventh-inning rally that produced four runs. Wheeler managed to shut the door and keep Aycock perfect in three outings this season.

Lassiter ended the night 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Wheeler batted 2-for-3 with an RBI. The Vinson siblings, Powell (two RBI), Taylor Waddell (RBI), Lenzi and Georgia Parnell contributed one hit apiece.

Gabby Stallings paced North Lenoir's offense with two hits and two RBI. Barton signee Alison Montague, Taylor Brown and Kennedy Phillips each drove in a run for the Hawks.

Janna Moore suffered the mound loss.

"We needed a game like this against a quality opponent," said NL head coach Jim Montague, whose team dropped to 3-2 overall this season.

"We have to stay off the high pitches and concentrate on balls we can keep our hands on top of (at the plate). CBA has great team speed."

Aycock travels to Hunt on Friday.