Northern Clinches Playoff Spot

 Tonight Rocky Mount hosted Northern Nash in the semi finals of the Big East Tournament.  Since Rocky Mount didn't have senior night last week when the season ending NN/RM game was pushed up to last Wednesday they held it tonight for the four Gryphon seniors.

Blake Helms a senior was introduced as all four Gryphons but tonight Helms carried  a extra burden as at 5pm the new Rocky Mount Memorial Gardens was dedicated in the memory of his mother Brenda Gurganus.  That is an emotional load to put on any player the night that his team is playing their biggest game of the year, it's senior night and now a dedication to your mother who passed last year about this time.

Helms struck the first batter out but walked and hit batters two and three.  Then the cleanup hitter Chad Nelms hit a screaming line drive right at Gryphon right fielder Josh Huerta with the sun in his eyes and of course one of the few times the sun has been out at any game this year goes right through his glove and two runs score.

Now on the Northern side coach Leonard Allen made the decision to try to get by with his number three pitcher holding His ace Derrick Carter out to the possible Thursday championship game with Fike who beat Nash Central 7-0 tonight.  Boy did that decision pay off.  Whit Casper gave up an infield single to lead off batter Forest Bell in the top of the first and did not give up another until one out in the sixth when David Harrison tripled off the right centerfield wall and would score
when Logan Pearce singled driving in Harrison which was at that time Rocky Mount second run of the game and cut the Northern lead to 6-2

Northern had whittled away all night on Blake Helms who in five plus innings allowed only six hits but Northern score one in the third and three in the sixth which upped the Northern lead to 6-1 and now coach Allen more than ever wants to win this game without using Carter.  Once The Gryphons cut it to six two and one more walk by Casper, Allen made his first pitching change and by the end of the sixth Rocky Mount has cut the score to 6-5 with the bases loaded and a 2 balls  no strikes on the best power hitter the Gryphons have in Josh Carter.  Not being able to take it any more Allen brings in Carter who proceeded to strike Josh Carter out ending the Gryphon  Rally.

Northern survives a Gryphon scare and wins 6-5 as Carter pitches the seventh inning to save the Knight victory.  Northern will now play Fike Thursday night at Fike for the Big East Tournament championship.  This game will be of great interest to Rocky Mount for if Northern wins Thursday they will jump to the number two seed and Rocky Mount would fall to third and a road game in the opening round of the state playoffs instead of a home game as the number two seed.