Arendell Parrott uses timely offense, pitching to defeat Rocky Mount
By Junious Smith III / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
Playing its first game in two weeks, Arendell Parrott looked like a team who never lost a step Wednesday.
The Patriots scored early and often while Darci Basden threw a good game as the team defeated Rocky Mount Academy 8-2. Arendell Parrott (9-6) extended its win streak to three games while preparing for a four-game schedule next week.
“Coming off a long break and not being able to make it outside the last two days because of rain, I wondered how the team would come out,” Patriots coach Matt Beaman said. “We did all of the little things well in this game and I feel like we’re coming together at the right time. We’ve got a couple big conference games at home Monday and Tuesday against Fayetteville Christian and Harrells Christian, so we’re looking forward to them.”
Arendell Parrott opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first. Savannah Hill singled to start the frame and Caroline Casey reached on an error, setting up Elizabeth Norris’ 2-run base hit. One inning later, Hill would hit an RBI single of her own to put the Patriots ahead 3-0.
Rocky Mount Academy (4-7) had at least one runner in scoring position in the first four innings, but couldn’t get anyone across home plate with Basden recovering each time. The pitcher struck out seven in the game while every Eagle out stayed in the infield.
“I really don’t get bothered by (the baserunners),” Basden said. “I just had to work through it and focus on my next pitch.”
Arendell Parrott provided additional insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth as consecutive RBI singles from Hill, Casey and Basden put the Patriots up 6-0. Hill, who finished 4-4 with three RBIs and two runs, said getting on base early was big for the team’s enthusiasm.
“Leading off, you want to set the tone and it can really help get the team energized,” Hill said.
Rocky Mount Academy had a burst of energy in the top of the fifth, scoring on an RBI triple by Casey Jones and following up with an Ashley Wright sacrifice grounder to cut the Arendell Parrott advantage to 6-2, but the Patriots would follow up in the bottom of the sixth. An error on an Anna Scott Radford grounder brought home Norris and Miller Andrews followed with a sacrifice groundout to push the advantage back to six.
From there, Basden finished the complete game, scattering eight hits while leaving nine Eagles on base.
The Patriots will play four of their final five regular-season games at home with the NCISAA 2A state tournament being held in Kinston as well.
ARENDELL PARROTT 8, ROCKY MOUNT 2
RM 000 020 0 — 2 8 2
APA 210 302 X — 8 11 0
RM: Wright and High. APA: Basden and Hill.
By Junious Smith III / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
Playing its first game in two weeks, Arendell Parrott looked like a team who never lost a step Wednesday.
The Patriots scored early and often while Darci Basden threw a good game as the team defeated Rocky Mount Academy 8-2. Arendell Parrott (9-6) extended its win streak to three games while preparing for a four-game schedule next week.
“Coming off a long break and not being able to make it outside the last two days because of rain, I wondered how the team would come out,” Patriots coach Matt Beaman said. “We did all of the little things well in this game and I feel like we’re coming together at the right time. We’ve got a couple big conference games at home Monday and Tuesday against Fayetteville Christian and Harrells Christian, so we’re looking forward to them.”
Arendell Parrott opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first. Savannah Hill singled to start the frame and Caroline Casey reached on an error, setting up Elizabeth Norris’ 2-run base hit. One inning later, Hill would hit an RBI single of her own to put the Patriots ahead 3-0.
Rocky Mount Academy (4-7) had at least one runner in scoring position in the first four innings, but couldn’t get anyone across home plate with Basden recovering each time. The pitcher struck out seven in the game while every Eagle out stayed in the infield.
“I really don’t get bothered by (the baserunners),” Basden said. “I just had to work through it and focus on my next pitch.”
Arendell Parrott provided additional insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth as consecutive RBI singles from Hill, Casey and Basden put the Patriots up 6-0. Hill, who finished 4-4 with three RBIs and two runs, said getting on base early was big for the team’s enthusiasm.
“Leading off, you want to set the tone and it can really help get the team energized,” Hill said.
Rocky Mount Academy had a burst of energy in the top of the fifth, scoring on an RBI triple by Casey Jones and following up with an Ashley Wright sacrifice grounder to cut the Arendell Parrott advantage to 6-2, but the Patriots would follow up in the bottom of the sixth. An error on an Anna Scott Radford grounder brought home Norris and Miller Andrews followed with a sacrifice groundout to push the advantage back to six.
From there, Basden finished the complete game, scattering eight hits while leaving nine Eagles on base.
The Patriots will play four of their final five regular-season games at home with the NCISAA 2A state tournament being held in Kinston as well.
ARENDELL PARROTT 8, ROCKY MOUNT 2
RM 000 020 0 — 2 8 2
APA 210 302 X — 8 11 0
RM: Wright and High. APA: Basden and Hill.
