Pitching And Timely Hitting

Who would have thought it.  If you were at the baseball field of Rocky Mount you got to see a quality baseball game in the midst of all this can't get on the field to practice year.  Rocky Mount hosted Corinth Holders from Wendell and what everyone got to see on this 79 degree sunny and windy start was a mid season form baseball game.

Gryphon starter Blake Helms after his opening four innings last week put another strong performance on the mound  as the Gryphons score two in the bottom of the sixth to beat the Pirates 4-2.  Helms goes the distance in a complete game 3 hitter walked one and plunked one and salted down the ninth striking out the side after the Gryphons retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth.  For the night Helms struck out nine.

Neither side can write home bragging about their hit totals but the four the Gryphons got all came in both the fourth innings and sixth when they scored two.  Joshea Carter got the fourth rolling with a single and advanced on an infield error.  Blake Helms helped his own cause by lacing a single driving in the first run.  Forest Bell hit a nuber between the pitcher and third and on the try to get David Harrison at home Bell got an rbi when Harrison  was safe.

The sixth proved to be the Pirates big inning which with one out Helms hit Bobby Beare and Grant Austin followed with a double.  Tate Proctor hit a grounder to second and the Gryphon throw home was late and a 2-1 game. Tyler Barrett then hit a long fly ball which plated Austin and we had a tie game.

Zack Keeter open the bottom of the   6th with a walk.  Liki Whitaker now running for Keeter   reach third When Carter slammed a ball to deep left field on any other day would have easily cleared the score board for a homer but with a brisk breeze never quite got to the wall but over the head of the fielder.  David Harrison then poked a single to center for the game winning run.  The Gryphon score their fourth run of the game when Forest Bell grounded to third and  the Pirates could only get the second out of the inning with Carter scoring.

Starting Pirate pitcher Nick Peach pitched into the fourth before being relieved by Logan Hayes would would be the pitcher of record for the Pirates.

Rocky Mount moves to 3-0 and will be right back in action Wednesday resuming their rained out game which will pick up with Rocky Mount coming to bat in the bottom of the first trailing 2-0.  Believe it or not next Tuesday night conference play begins  and the way this year has gone the team  that begins rounding in to form first will get the better starts when conference play starts.