Varsity Baseball -- Gipson propels Aycock past Rosewood

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on May 2, 2017 9:56 AM

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 PIKEVILLE -- Blake Gipson is one of the most feared hitters in C.B. Aycock's lineup.

He's in the three-hole for a reason. But there's also a reason why Golden Falcons' head coach Charles Davis put him on the mound against hard-hitting Rosewood.

The junior can deal.

In just his second start of the season, Gipson allowed one run in five innings and spearheaded a 7-3 victory and season-sweep of the Eagles.

CBA also defeated Rosewood 3-0 back on March 7.

"As a whole we knew we were going to get (Gipson) some innings (before the season)," Davis said. "But we thought maybe more in relief and everything...It's huge right there when I'm able to put him on the mound, and he gives me quality innings like he has in his last two starts."

Gipson's other start this season came against Cardinal Gibbons in the Golden Leaf Invitational. Despite taking the mound loss, he allowed just three runs to a Crusaders team that averages 7.5 per game.

Rosewood entered Monday's game with a 17-3 record while averaging 6.7 runs per game. Gipson made sure to put a dent in both of those stats.

The Golden Falcons' hurler allowed just two hits through the first four innings. The Eagles didn't get their first run until the fifth inning, and that was a RBI groundout by Kolby Harris.

It was a strong outing from Gipson, but also an Eagles' performance that didn't sit well with head coach Jason King.

"I just felt like today we didn't have that juice about us -- that 'go get it' type of mentality," King said. "We have to be mentally prepared to play every ball game when we step on the field. I feel like we could've done a better job of that today."

Contrary to the Eagles, CBA's bats were locked in, and provided sufficient run support for Gipson.

The Golden Falcons scored three in the first inning. At one point, CBA led 6-0 after one run in the third and two in the fourth.

Gipson -- helping his own cause -- tallied two hits, a RBI and a double. Chris Turner and Chandler Matthews also recorded two hits. For the Eagles, Chance Howard, Harris, Derek Neal, Tucker Chapin and Stalen Massengill each tallied one hit.

Davis said pitching has become a strong point for this year's team, along with base running and manufacturing runs.

Davis believes Gipson will continue to play a significant role from the mound as the Golden Falcons prepare for what they hope is a deep playoff run.

After two impressive starts, the junior has more than solidified himself in the rotation.

"If we're fortunate enough to get to a three-game series, there's no question with his two outings -- against Cardinal Gibbons and Rosewood today -- who our third starter is," Davis said.