From Last To Top Seed

After the first week of conference play the Rocky Mount Gryphons stood at 0-2 having blown a 4-2 lead at Nash Central and a 4-0 lead at Hunt.  Tonight behind the three hitting pitching of David Harrison the Gryphons take the number one seed in the Big East with 2-0 shutout of Northern Nash.

The Win Gives the Gryphons a 6-4 conference record with Northern Nash but the Gryphons swept the Knights in both games played.  Hunt also ties at 6-4 after they went to Fike and won 9-0.  Nash Central got back to 5-5 in conference play beating Southern Nash 7-2 and tie Fike 5-5. Next week's Big East tournament will start with 3rd seed Hunt Hosting Southern Nash and number four seed Nash Central hosting Fike.

Chad Nelms got the start for Northern Nash and he like every pitcher that has faced David Harrison pitched well enough but not good enough.  Helms gives up four hits walked only two batters and struck out 11 Gryphons. Two of the four Gryphons hits came in the third inning, Jamar  Ellis singled and with one out Josh Pittman single putting runners on first and third.

Wednesday of this week Marvin Coates passed away and his Grandson Logan Pearce hit a shot to left field that was caught on the warning track and Ellis easily scored from third giving Pearce what would turn out to be the game winning RBI.  The Gryphons scored their second run in the fourth after Forest Bell walked stole second and scored on a David Harrison base hit.

David Harrison probably wrapped up the player of the year in the Big East after his complete game shutout.  He allowed three hits, walk four which were three more than he had walked in all conference games.  He struck out nine but the last five Knights to get out struck out.  During Big East games Harrison pitched 34 and 2/3 and gave up three runs which is an ERA.083.

Northern's three hits came from Matt Rose who had a double and single and Josh Daniels.  The Gryphons had all singles from Josh Pittman, David Harrison, Will Hedgepeth and Jamar Ellis.  Both Rocky Mount and Northern have byes and both will host semi final games next week.