The Rocky Mount Gryphons left the bases loaded in the first and seventh innings. They scored once in the first and could have gotten more. The seventh needing one to tie the Gryphons got one but still left the bases loaded. The ninth inning arrived and with one out Forest Bell lined a single to left that hopped by the left fielder and by the time the throw was back in the infield Bell stood on third.
The Rams intentionally walked David Harrison and Jake Philbeck to load the bases. That took away two big bats out of the batters box because their runs were not important now only Bell at third. Zack Keeter hit a line drive in the gap in left field. Any other night it is a double but all the Gryphons needed was for Forest Bell to touch home to win a dramatic 4-3 nine inning game against North East Guilford who came into the game a 25th seed who won five more games than the Gryphons did on the season.
The Rams struck first as starter David Harrison showed some nerves walking the lead off runner who scored on a double by short stop Carter Williams. Bottom half of the first the Gryphons responded scoring twice. The first after Logan Pearce walked and the Rams starting pitcher Jacob Brown tried a pick off but his throw went in the right field corner and put Pearce on third. Forest Bell walked. Pearce scored on and RBI single by David Harrison and Bell scored three batters later on an error by the Rams third baseman.
The Rams tied it in the third on a no doubter home run by DH Bryce Mericka. The Rams took the lead in the sixth after Mericka was hit by a pitch and came home to score on a double by the pitcher Jacob Brown. Their last chance in the seventh the Gryphons got a single from Josh Pittman a walk to Logan Pearce. Bell bunted both runners to second and third. Harrison was intentionally walked . Jake Philbeck hit a grounder to second and the only play was to get Philbeck at first and a tie game as Pittman scored. A hit batter loaded the bases but on to extra innings.
David Harrison pitched 7 and one third innings giving up five hits walked one hit two batters and allowed a home run. Harrison struck out eight on the night. The hero of the night is Will Hedgepeth who in relief pitches one and two thirds and grabs the win. He gave up a single and struck out one. Rams pitcher Jacob Brown went seven innings allowing only six hits and struck out six. Brody Holloman in two innings took the lost but the three of the four runs on the night can be blamed on defensive miscues.
The Rocky Mount Gryphons advance to round two where they will face Triton a 24 seed who beat the nine seed Southern Lee 3-0 on a no hitter by Triton. Good questions as to when this next round is played as the weather calls for rain Wednesday- Thursday and Friday. Stay tuned to this station as we will pass it along as soon as when we know the game will tried to be played.
There was a heart breaker at Northern Nash as the visitors Corinth Holders won 1-0. Hunt traveled to Havelock and they win 6-4. Understand Fike's coach Buck Edmonson's wife was due to have a baby today so they will not play until Wednesday.
The Lady Gryphons won their opening round soccer game beating Grays Creek 5-0.
The Lady Gryphons won their opening round soccer game beating Grays Creek 5-0.
