Roupp’s 11 K’s gives Faith Christian 4-1 win over Arendell Parrott
Junious Smith III / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
Posted Apr 18, 2016 at 10:06 PM
Updated at 10:08 PM
In an all-Patriots showdown, Faith Christian’s Landon Roupp provided an All-American arsenal of pitches to the chagrin of the home field faithful.
Roupp threw a complete game five-hitter, helping Faith Christian defeat Arendell Parrott 4-1 on Monday. The Faith Christian (17-3) pitcher threw 11 strikeouts, but said his teammates provided him with plenty of help.
“They got us on the board early and stood behind me,” Roupp said. “I just pitched my game and if (Arendell Parrott) hit the ball, I knew my teammates would make the plays.”
Faith Christian started the game on a standup double by Luke Mills, who scored after the next batter — Eli Ess — attempted a sacrifice bunt with the throw going above the first baseman’s head. Mills would make a superb play on defense as well in the bottom of the first, making a diving catch in deep center on an Alex Henderson fly ball.
Through the first three innings, Arendell Parrott (13-7) only registered one hit, but Connor Bright held Faith Christian to the same amount, throwing a trio of strikeouts in the process. Bright did get into some trouble in the top of the fourth inning after walking Roupp and allowing a Sam Mills single. Jacob Pridgen lined a double down the left field line for the 2-0 advantage. Arendell Parrott tried to counter in the bottom of the frame with consecutive two-out singles from John McLawhorn and Colby McLawhorn, but Luke Mills gunned down John McLawhorn at third base to end the inning.
“It was a hard-hit ball and I knew I had to get to it quick,” Mills said. “(John McLawhorn) was just rounding second and I saw he wasn’t letting up, so I just let the ball go to be honest.”
Bright turned in a strong performance of his own, allowing four hits and striking out eight over five innings, but an RBI single by Braxton Varnell in the top of the fifth gave Faith Christian a 3-0 lead. Aaron Gurgamis added another RBI base knock in the top of the sixth before Arendell Parrott looked to start a comeback. Zacchaeus Rasberry walked to start the bottom of the frame, then Henderson added a single. Charlie King had a ground ball to second, but Henderson upended the Gurgamis on the fielder’s choice after the second baseman had gotten one out. King was called out due to interference, but Rasberry scored on the play to give Arendell Parrott its first run of the contest.
From there, Roupp retired the next four batters — three by strikeout — to end the game.
“(Arendell Parrott) is a tough team,” Faith Christian coach Greg Clifton said. “Landon hasn’t thrown a lot this year, so he was well-rested and I thought he was sharp (in this game.)”
For Arendell Parrott coach Robert Kravitz, Roupp’s efforts were too much to overcome.
“Landon is an excellent pitcher who singlehandedly defeated us,” Kravitz said. “Sometimes in sports, you have to tip your hat to a guy. We also had mistakes that killed us in the game and Faith capitalized. You’re not going to beat a good team like that.”
Junious Smith III / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
Posted Apr 18, 2016 at 10:06 PM
Updated at 10:08 PM
In an all-Patriots showdown, Faith Christian’s Landon Roupp provided an All-American arsenal of pitches to the chagrin of the home field faithful.
Roupp threw a complete game five-hitter, helping Faith Christian defeat Arendell Parrott 4-1 on Monday. The Faith Christian (17-3) pitcher threw 11 strikeouts, but said his teammates provided him with plenty of help.
“They got us on the board early and stood behind me,” Roupp said. “I just pitched my game and if (Arendell Parrott) hit the ball, I knew my teammates would make the plays.”
Faith Christian started the game on a standup double by Luke Mills, who scored after the next batter — Eli Ess — attempted a sacrifice bunt with the throw going above the first baseman’s head. Mills would make a superb play on defense as well in the bottom of the first, making a diving catch in deep center on an Alex Henderson fly ball.
Through the first three innings, Arendell Parrott (13-7) only registered one hit, but Connor Bright held Faith Christian to the same amount, throwing a trio of strikeouts in the process. Bright did get into some trouble in the top of the fourth inning after walking Roupp and allowing a Sam Mills single. Jacob Pridgen lined a double down the left field line for the 2-0 advantage. Arendell Parrott tried to counter in the bottom of the frame with consecutive two-out singles from John McLawhorn and Colby McLawhorn, but Luke Mills gunned down John McLawhorn at third base to end the inning.
“It was a hard-hit ball and I knew I had to get to it quick,” Mills said. “(John McLawhorn) was just rounding second and I saw he wasn’t letting up, so I just let the ball go to be honest.”
Bright turned in a strong performance of his own, allowing four hits and striking out eight over five innings, but an RBI single by Braxton Varnell in the top of the fifth gave Faith Christian a 3-0 lead. Aaron Gurgamis added another RBI base knock in the top of the sixth before Arendell Parrott looked to start a comeback. Zacchaeus Rasberry walked to start the bottom of the frame, then Henderson added a single. Charlie King had a ground ball to second, but Henderson upended the Gurgamis on the fielder’s choice after the second baseman had gotten one out. King was called out due to interference, but Rasberry scored on the play to give Arendell Parrott its first run of the contest.
From there, Roupp retired the next four batters — three by strikeout — to end the game.
“(Arendell Parrott) is a tough team,” Faith Christian coach Greg Clifton said. “Landon hasn’t thrown a lot this year, so he was well-rested and I thought he was sharp (in this game.)”
For Arendell Parrott coach Robert Kravitz, Roupp’s efforts were too much to overcome.
“Landon is an excellent pitcher who singlehandedly defeated us,” Kravitz said. “Sometimes in sports, you have to tip your hat to a guy. We also had mistakes that killed us in the game and Faith capitalized. You’re not going to beat a good team like that.”
