Staff report
STATESVILLE — East Rowan rode a no-hitter by Jared Mathis to a 3-1 NPC victory at West Iredell on Tuesday.
West Iredell’s only run came in the second on a hit batsman, a steal, a throwing error and a groundout.
“Jared just kept cruising,” East coach Brian Hightower said. “He pitched an unbelievable game and wasn’t walking anybody until it started pouring and the ball got slick in the seventh.”
Heavy rain halted the game with West Iredell threatening with two on and two out the seventh. Since the seventh couldn’t be completed, the run the Mustangs scored in the top of the inning didn’t count, and all stats from the seventh won’t count. The official final score reverted back to the 3-1 tally after six innings.
It was big one for the Mustangs, who prevailed against West Iredell ace Sean Grant (six Ks, no walks) and won without using their own ace — Bradley Robbins.
“It gives us a sweep over them,” Hightower said. “Any sweep in this league is huge.”
Andy Austin rapped two hits. Hunter Brooks and Roby Holmes delivered clutch singles to drive in runs for the Mustangs.
East (7-6, 5-2) is home against West Rowan on Thursday in a battle for first place.