Gryphons Lose Conference Opener

Nash Central's Tyler King gave up two singles in the first inning the second a rbi single by Andy Morris but he would not give up another hit until the sixth inning.  Hit number 3 would wind up being run #2 for the Gryphons as they tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Collin Watson.

Jeremy Johnson matched pitch for pitch with King until the Bulldogs plated two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Khalil Macklin started the fourth with an infield single,stole second and scored on a double by Jordan Taylor which was the first ball the Bulldogs had hit out of the infield.  Taylor would later score on a passed ball to give the Bulldogs the 2-1 lead.

Johnson got two outs quickly in the bottom of the sixth but walked and hit a batter which brought out Coach Kent Cox who bought in Will Edwards  to get the last out in the sixth.  Jalen Hendrick greeted Edwards with an rbi single and Kyle Taylor added another rbi plus a wild pitch plated a third run.

King goes the distanced for the Bulldogs giving up three hits and striking out 9 Gryphons.  Jalen Hendricks was the only player on either side to get two hits as Nash Central takes down the Gryphons 5-2.  Jeremy Johnson went 5 and 2/3 innings for the Gryphons allowing only two hits and striking out eight. The game was delayed in the bottom of the third for 55 minutes as lightening was in the area as it was 82 degrees at game time and this  is the last few days of winter.

North Carolina and Duke limp into the opening round of the NCAA Tournament with how far they will go totally depends on John Henson and Ryan Kelly's condition at game time.  It is one and done time and if either are held out hoping that Sunday they will be better is a gamble to take.  N c State makes it's first appearance in the NCAA in six years and they have to hope that just being there is not enough.