GOLDEN LEAF INVITATIONAL: Frederick, CBA ground Eagles

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on April 19, 2017 10:00 AM

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WILSON -- Charles B. Aycock spent the entire Golden Leaf Invitational showcasing its strength from the mound.

On Saturday it was Blake Gipson, who allowed just three runs to a one-loss Cardinal Gibbons team. Cody Whaley took the mound on Monday, and gave up two walks in six innings.

It was Luke Frederick's turn Tuesday.

The junior hurler wrapped up the Golden Falcons' Invitational appearance by striking out eight batters and giving up two hits in a 5-1 victory over Rocky Mount Academy at historic Fleming Stadium.

"(Frederick) pretty much got ahead in the count with almost every hitter," said Golden Falcons' head coach Charles Davis. "His curveball looked good, and Luke is the type of pitcher -- the warmer the weather is, the better he is."

In his previous start, Frederick gave up five runs to D.H. Conley in the first inning. While Tuesday's beginning wasn't as rocky, he did allow two hits, one run and a walk in the first frame.

Unlike the Conley game, Frederick became virtually unhittable in the next five innings versus Rocky Mount Academy. The junior retired 15 of the next 16 batters he faced. The lone base runner came via a two-out walk in the third inning.

Frederick's eight strikeouts were a season high. Before Tuesday's gem -- his third win in 2017 -- he hadn't struck out more than four batters in a game.

"Composure number one, and he's able to throw his curveball for strikes," said Davis, listing Frederick's strengths. "And as long as he keeps his fastball down, he's got pretty good movement to it. A lot of upside to him. (He has) a great body, and he's only going to get better."

CBA's bats supported Frederick with seven hits.

Joey Hampton recorded a team-high three hits. Gipson added two hits and a RBI while Nolan Harrell and Chandler Matthews each supplied one hit.

The Golden Falcons have won seven of their past eight games and finished the GLI with a 2-1 record. The lone loss came against Cardinal Gibbons.

"We would like to come over and win all three, but very satisfied with the way we approached it," Davis said. "We got three games in against three quality pitchers and opponents."

The Golden Falcons' pitching staff allowed only six runs in the three-game Invitational. It's a performance that Davis would like see for the rest of the season.

For that to happen, he believes the pitching staff must keep throwing off-speed pitches for strikes and locating the fastballs.

"(The pitching staff) just need to continue to work in our bullpen," Davis said. "And that's the thing about our guys -- they will get in the bullpen and work. I'm an old-school guy. I'm a big advocate of the more they throw, the stronger their arms become."