Primed For Conference

Next week is two games of conference baseball and then a week of Easter baseball the week after.  It is time to make final decisions of who plays and who pitches as next week the road to the playoffs begin. Rocky Mount's last chance to show the coach what you can do was a game this afternoon at SouthWest Edgecombe.

Pat Smith sent Wesley Drake to the hill once again against the Cougars as just 10 days ago he was on the hill in the Gryphons 13-1 five inning affair.  He gave up five hits in five innings and struck out five so the question is can he do it again against the Cougars.

The answer is yes as Drake goes six innings allows three hits did not walk a single batter.  One batter reached second for the Cougars and six struck out.  Drake struck out the side in the second and the first two in the third..  The Gryphons ten run the Cougars 10-0 in six innings.

The  Gryphon offense scored four in the second and six in the sixth to put an end to this one.  The Gryphons started the second with a walk then two outs before Jamar Ellis, Logan Pearce got back to back hits.  An error added to the Cougar misfortune and Jake Philbeck lashed a single driving home two runs.  All four Gryphon runs scored with two out.

Once again the Gryphons had two runners on in the sixth with two outs when the flood gates opened. Forest Bell knocked home the first run followed by a dropped ball in the outfield.  A walk then a Will Hedgepeth doubled followed by a two RBI single by Ellis.  All six runs crossed the plate with two outs.

Jake Philbeck went 3-3 with 2 RBI.  Logan Pearce, Josh Pittman, and Jamar Ellis had two hits each.  Forest Bell, Josh Keeter, Will Hedgepeth add singles to the ten hit attack.  There is no doubt the Gryphons at this point have a solid starter in Wesley Drake. The big question for the success of this team is who is going to join him in being a dependable starter?

Conference play has two on the road next week Nash Central Tuesday and Hunt on Friday.  Both games start at 7pm.