Suggs' 10 strikeouts lead Bethel Christian to victory over Coastal Christian
By Junious Smith III KINSTON FREE PRESS
If Bethel Christian finishes the season the way it started, the Trojans may be NCCSA champions.
Ted Suggs threw 10 strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, helping Bethel Christian defeat Coastal Christian 10-0 in a game shortened to six innings under the mercy rule. Suggs also had a 2-run single in the fifth inning as the Trojans (2-0) scored in every frame except the third.
“It just came from a lot of practice and trying to keep the ball down low,” Suggs said. “I didn’t want anyone to be able to put the ball in the air through popups and when they did get a hit, I had great defense behind me.”
For the most part, Suggs kept the ball in catcher Daniel Daugherty’s mitt, striking out five straight batters at one point between the second and fourth inning. On offense, Bethel Christian manufactured runs in the first inning, going up 2-0 without recording a hit. After two walks and an error by the Centurions, a wild pitch allowed Hunter Stephens to score and Michael Fulcher getting hit by a pitch brought home Suggs. Daugherty would hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second before catching Suggs, as he struck out the side in the top of the third.
Suggs hit his 2-RBI single in the fourth inning, then David Whitfield brought home two after a Coastal Christian error in the fifth. The game was called in the sixth after Bethel was able to plate three with no outs, relying on two hit batters, a pair of errors and a 2-run double.
Bethel Christian coach Kenny Sutton said he would take those types of wins any day.
“Ted did a fantastic job on the mound and we really got in some good at-bats,” Sutton said.
For Coastal Christian coach Graham Radford, the Centurions’ first game of the season — and first for a few of the players — was a learning lesson.
“We have a lot of young guys playing their first game at the high school level, including our entire infield,” Radford said. “I think they got a little intimidated and (Suggs) was throwing the ball hard. Still, we kept swinging, but Bethel had an answer for us each time. We’ll be alright and get stronger throughout the season.”
For now, Suggs said the team is going to work on maintaining the focus for bigger aspirations, on the heels of a 19-5 win over Community Christian Tuesday.
“We’re trying to get a high seed in the playoffs,” Suggs said. “If we continue to play like this and keep the communication we have now, we should have a great season.”
By Junious Smith III KINSTON FREE PRESS
If Bethel Christian finishes the season the way it started, the Trojans may be NCCSA champions.
Ted Suggs threw 10 strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, helping Bethel Christian defeat Coastal Christian 10-0 in a game shortened to six innings under the mercy rule. Suggs also had a 2-run single in the fifth inning as the Trojans (2-0) scored in every frame except the third.
“It just came from a lot of practice and trying to keep the ball down low,” Suggs said. “I didn’t want anyone to be able to put the ball in the air through popups and when they did get a hit, I had great defense behind me.”
For the most part, Suggs kept the ball in catcher Daniel Daugherty’s mitt, striking out five straight batters at one point between the second and fourth inning. On offense, Bethel Christian manufactured runs in the first inning, going up 2-0 without recording a hit. After two walks and an error by the Centurions, a wild pitch allowed Hunter Stephens to score and Michael Fulcher getting hit by a pitch brought home Suggs. Daugherty would hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second before catching Suggs, as he struck out the side in the top of the third.
Suggs hit his 2-RBI single in the fourth inning, then David Whitfield brought home two after a Coastal Christian error in the fifth. The game was called in the sixth after Bethel was able to plate three with no outs, relying on two hit batters, a pair of errors and a 2-run double.
Bethel Christian coach Kenny Sutton said he would take those types of wins any day.
“Ted did a fantastic job on the mound and we really got in some good at-bats,” Sutton said.
For Coastal Christian coach Graham Radford, the Centurions’ first game of the season — and first for a few of the players — was a learning lesson.
“We have a lot of young guys playing their first game at the high school level, including our entire infield,” Radford said. “I think they got a little intimidated and (Suggs) was throwing the ball hard. Still, we kept swinging, but Bethel had an answer for us each time. We’ll be alright and get stronger throughout the season.”
For now, Suggs said the team is going to work on maintaining the focus for bigger aspirations, on the heels of a 19-5 win over Community Christian Tuesday.
“We’re trying to get a high seed in the playoffs,” Suggs said. “If we continue to play like this and keep the communication we have now, we should have a great season.”
