No Other Choice

The last time Rocky Mount and Southern Nash met the Gryphons put the Firebirds down in five innings 17-0.  Tonight Pat Smith went back to Zack Keeter who pitched three innings in the last game against Southern and Keeter did his job.  Keeter went five innings of  three hit ball and along the way walked three batters.  His problem was through five innings Southern's pitcher Trevor Mills out pitched Keeter.

Mills through five innings gave up two hits and walked a single batter. The walk was wiped out on a double play and the single wiped away on a caught stealing.  So through five innings the Gryphons did nothing against Mills while through the first four innings the Firebirds had six base runners.

Now this is not working as planned.The Gryphons were suppose base on the last game be banging out hits and scoring runs But Mills was not cooperating.  Top of the sixth Pat Smith said this game is to close to call and let's bring on David Harrison because we can not afford to allow a run to Southern this late in the game.  Harrison face six batters striking out four.

The bottom of the sixth with one out Isaiah Stewart walked.  He reached second on a Josh Pittman single and scored on a double by David Harrison.  A potential second run was thrown out by Southern right fielder Jason Montaque who made a perfect throw home.

The top four hitters in the Gryphon lineup got one hit a piece Josh Pittman, David Harrison double RBI, Logan Pearce and Jake Philbeck.  Southern was led by Trevor Mills who got two hits but didn't get enough help from his teammates and takes the loss.  Hunter Perry was the only other Firebird with a Hit.

Zack Keeter pitched well enough to win but like Mills got no help from his batting mates.  David Harrison got the mound win plus the game winning hit.

Now for the crazy Big East.  Tonight Northern Takes sole pocession of first place after they beat Fike 7-3.   That gives Northern first place with a 6-3 record while Fike drops to 5-4.  Hunt beat Nash Central 6-1 after last night beating Southern 7-3.  Hunt with two  wins this week jumps to 5-4  Rocky Mount's win over Southern makes them 5-4.

So Friday night Northern Nash can win First place outright with a win over Rocky Mount.  Rocky Mount with a win over Northern could tie for first.  Since both Fike and Hunt are 5-4 the winner of their game could be part of a three way tie if Rocky Mount beats Northern.  The bottom line is this.  It is Northern's to win and as they say control their own destiny.