From staff reports
North Rowan’s baseball team got its first win of the season Thursday, surprising Ledford 8-6 in a CCC game in Spencer.
Kyle Munday had three RBIs for the Cavaliers, including a two-run homer that highlighted a five-run fourth inning. Wesley Barker had two hits and two RBIs. Dakota Brown and Travis Honeycutt both had two hits and scored twice.
Brown pitched six innings, struck out 10 and held the Panthers to four hits. Patrick Snider earned a save.
“We hit the ball a whole lot better today,” North coach Robbie Linder. “We had six doubles, and Dakota did a great job for us on the mound.”
n Salisbury lost to Central 8-6 in CCC baseball.
Salisbury had a four-run first inning, keyed by Jeremy Forbis’ three-run double.
Philip Tonseth and Frankie Cardelle had RBI doubles for the Hornets.
Forbis, Cardelle, Jordan Fuller and John Knox had two hits each.
Russell Michalec took the loss on the mound.
“Our effort lately has been excellent,” SHS coach Scott Maddox said. “We can’t seem to get over the hump. One timely error or baserunning mistake seems to haunt us every game.”
n A.L. Brown lost to SPC leader Marvin Ridge 12-0. The Mavericks scored 11 runs in the first inning.
John Tuttle and Dylan May had the only hits for the Wonders. Ryan Blackmon took the loss.
“Yeah, they’re better than us,” Brown coach Empsy Thompson said. “But it’s disappointing we didn’t even come out and compete.”
n Nick Lomascolo pitched a one-hitter as Lake Norman beat Mooresville 10-0 in a battle of NPC powers.
Jordan Farrell had three hits and knocked in five runs for the Wildcats.
n The Rowan-Cabarrus Homeschool Stallions won 10-2 against J.M. Robinson on Thursday.
Benji Jackson allowed three hits in seven innings, and he struck out nine for the Stallions (12-1).
Kyle Kiker (two doubles), Christian Hicks (one home run), Bobby Zimmerman, Josh Tossas and Stephen Shue had two hits apiece.
The Stallions will play next week in the South Stanly Easter Invitational.
n Jake Everhart hit a grand slam for West Davidson in a 14-4 CCC romp against Providence Grove. Winning pitcher Jordan Hudson went 3-for-4, and Zach Burkhart homered and knocked in four runs for the first-place Green Dragons.
n Keaton Hawks pitched a complete game, struck out 10 and hit a game-winning double as East Davidson survived a scare from Lexington and won 4-3 in the CCC.
n The Kannapolis Intimidators Classic will be held Monday through Wednesday at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.
First-round matchups are Hickory Ridge vs. Concord (10 a.m.), Central Cabarrus vs. Mount Pleasant (1 p.m.), Piedmont vs. Robinson (4 p.m.) and A.L. Brown vs. Northwest Cabarrus (7 p.m.).
The championship game in Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $4 for students. A tournament pass is available for $12 and $10, respectively.
n WNBA draft
N.C. State’s Shayla Fields (Salisbury) wasn’t one of 39 players selected in three rounds of the WNBA draft Thursday. Nine players from the ACC were picked.
n Catawba baseball
Because of threatening weather expected tonight, the start of Catawba’s doubleheader today with Lenoir-Rhyne at Newman Park has been moved up to 1 p.m.
n Seager: high pick
North Carolina’s Kyle Seager (NW Cabarrus) is a junior who will be eligible for the draft that will take place June 9-10.
Seager appears certain to be drafted no later than the fourth round and could be picked as early as the second.
He projects to be the third Tar Heel chosen. Teammates Dustin Ackley, who will likely play center field as a pro, and pitcher Alex White are sure first-round picks.
Seager played second base for the Tar Heels prior to this season and moved to third base as a junior with the addition of freshman sensation Levi Michael. Third base appears to be his strongest defensive position, but he’ll have to prove he can hit enough homers to stay there.
A high school and Legion shortstop, Seager has plenty of arm for second or third, and his left-handed bat and polished stroke have attracted attention from just about every team. Seager has average speed but excellent baseball instincts. He’s 6-for-6 on steal attempts this season.
n College baseball
Freshman pitcher Alex Britt (Salisbury) was injured in practice at Mars Hill. He was struck in the eye by a baseball.
n Patrick Atwell (South Rowan) was 1-for-2 for Belmont Abbey in a 12-11 loss to Francis Marion Thursday.
n Intimidators win opener
Tyler Kuhn had a walkoff single in the 10th inning as Kannapolis beat Asheville 1-0 to open the SAL season.
Greg Infante had a great start on the mound for Kannapolis. He fanned 11 while throwing six innings of no-hit ball.
The Tourists had appeared to escape a 10-inning jam one batter before Kuhn hit, but the pitch got away from catcher Beau Seabury on a strikeout and allowed Gilmore to reach to load the bases.
Kuhn’s heroics were in support of a dominating pitching performance from Infante and three relievers.
The Tourists did not have a runner reach base until a fifth-inning walk.
Their first hit did not come until Tyler Massey singled off of reliever Charlis Burdie. Asheville’s only other hit came to lead off the 10th inning when Jordan Pacheco reached on a bunt.
The Intimidators were aided by some strong defense, while Asheville imploded on the defensive side. Kannapolis turned three double plays and nearly recorded a triple play, while the Tourists committed five errors, including a critical miscue in the 10th.
It was the Intimidators fourth win in their last five home openers.
n ASU benefit
Appalachian State’s annual Spring Fling will benefit the Why The Woods non-profit organization spearheaded by former Mountaineer defensive back Billy Riddle (Davie County).
Spring Fling will be held on April 24 from 1-7:30 p.m. at ASU’s Duck Pond Field. The event features inflatable games, carnival activities, live music. Students, faculty, staff, family and community members are invited to attend.
Bracelets for admission can be purchased in advance at ASU’s Plemmons Student Union for $3 or at the event for $5. All proceed will support the efforts of Why The Woods as they build wells and provide other basic human needs in Sudan.
Riddle sat out the 2007 football season in order to serve as a missionary in Sudan. He returned for his senior campaign in 2008 and intends to return to Sudan to continue his service to the people of the war-torn African nation. For more information, visit whythewoods.org.
n Catawba lacrosse
Catawba fell to Wingate 8-7 in overtime in men’s lacrosse.
Marty Tuohy had two goals and an assist for Catawba (2-7, 1-3 Deep South).
Braden Artem scored twice. C.J. Dunshie had three assists.