Gryphons Clinch Second

It was not do or die, win or not make the playoffs.  The Gryphons had an invitation to the 3-A baseball playoffs in their pocket they just didn't know where they were going or who they were playing. Tonight's game ended one of the most bizarre seasons in Gryphon baseball history.  Twice during the season the Gryphon had three conference games in one week and yet even doing that they had to play two games after the last official game of the season.

Sophomore Jeremy Johnson took the ball from head coach Kent Cox and as the lead off batter was the first player introduced when the Gryphons took the field. The biggest ovation of the night was the last player introduced and that was Sam Lilley who was on the field for the introductions despite spending most of  Saturday night at the Wilson Hospital and then at Pitt Memorial after taking a line drive on the cheek Saturday at Hunt.  Those in attendance tonight Sam was the music director and was supplying the music introduction for each Gryphon Batter in the press box.

The Gryphons got rolling in the bottom of the second with two outs they score five runs on bases loaded walks twice, a two rbi single by Matt Berry and another rbi single by brother Thomas.  They added one more in the third on a single and rbi by Collin Watson.  Three more scored in the fourth on four straight hits by Spenser Ramsey, M Berry and an rbi single by T Berry and another rbi by Benton Moss.  A third run scored on a wild pitch.  The tenth run scored in the fifth on a walk to Watson then a stolen base and Damien Smith sent the clinching run home with a rbi single to finish off the Golden Demons.

The shut out stayed in tact on two really great defensive plays by the Gryphons.  The first with a runner on first Fike hit a chopper to Thomas Berry at first who wheeled and threw to second for the force out and Spenser Ramsey returned the throw to first  where pitcher Jeremy Johnson  was waiting to finish off the double play which was just as good of a double play that you will ever see.

  Fike's really only good opportunity of the night to score, Richard Hinton  singled and the next batter Nathan Everette hit a ball to center which looked as if the runner at first was going to make it easily to third but you have to remember there is a 90 mile hour fast ball in center field in Benton Moss and Moss threw a strike to an a waiting Matthew Berry at third to quail any potential Golden Demon rally.

Jeremy Johnson did exactly what Kent Cox wanted keep the ball until this game is over and he did that giving up only four hits striking out five and pitching a shut out.  There is a good possibility that Thursday will be the last home game unless there are some major upsets so Thursday night might be the last time that Benton Moss pitches at Gryphon Stadium.  There needs to be a standing room only crowd in the place should this be the last home performance of the greatest Gryphon pitcher in history.

The Gryphons finish the regular season 16-8 and by having clinched second place have a home game Thursday night against Hertford County.  Game time will be 7.00pm.

I have not got a confirmation on the final score but Nash Central was leading Northern Nash by four late in the game.  Should Nash Central wind up winning they clinch third spot and Northern will be fourth place but both will be on the road in the opening round late this  week.

The Big East  Softball tournament got underway tonight at Glover Park and Rocky Mount played one of their best games of the year before falling to Northern Nash 7-4

Today at the 3-A State Golf Championships at Foxfire Village in Pinehurst J T Poston of Hickory high school the defending state champ shot a state championship record 63 today and Rocky Mount playing in their first state championship ever find themselves 82 shots out of the team lead after shooting a team score of 390.  I am sure all the guys are having the time of their life getting to play in Pinehurst.