Taylor Smith makes a throw from center as Tyson Stephens backs up the play.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Cape Fear Christian Academy returned from Easter break with an 11-1 nonconference varsity baseball win in five innings over visiting Ridgecroft on Tuesday.
The Eagles improved to 4-4 in their first action since a 3-2 loss at Lawrence on March 26.
“I was very pleased with our effort today,” said Eagles coach Bill Parrish. “I had some concerns when returning to play from spring break, but our guys showed up ready to play. Big win to get us through our nonconference games.
“I think we are ready to make a big push to reach our first goal of the season, which is to win the Mid-Carolina Conference regular-season championship again.”
Cole Godwin was 3-for-3 with a run and three RBIs in support of winning pitcher Eli Burns, who allowed three hits, one run (earned) with three walks and six strikeouts in four innings.
Fisher Stancil yielded one hit and strick out one in a scoreless fifth inning.
Conner Parrish was 2-for-2 with a run, an RBI and a walk.
CFCA was patient at the plate, drawing eight walks, including three by Burns.
The Eagles stole eight bases, including three by Zeke Brock.
Brock led off the bottom of the first with a hit, stole second and scored on a single by Taylor Smith to put the hosts ahead to stay.
CFCA scored three in the first, two in the second and added six more runs in the third in dropping the Rams to 5-7-1.
Brock scored twice. Smith had three runs. Burns had an RBI. Gunner Dorman scored a run. Stancil scored three runs. Landon McLamb had a hit and two RBIs. Mason Gregory had a hit and drove in a run.
Stancil started a double play to end the game.
Trip to Lawrence
The Eagles were much more competitive against Lawrence in a 3-2 road loss on March 26 compared to a 16-0 setback at hoe on March 4.
CFCA had a 4-3 lead in hits as Smith pitched a complete game. He allowed just one earned run as the Eagles were charged with five errors. Smith did not issue a walk and had four strikeouts.
Burns, Stancil, McLamb and Parrish had hits.
The Eagles rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh as Stancil had a pair of RBIs.
Lawrence (12-5) is ranked No. 1 among North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association teams as of the April 8 ratings on MaxPreps. CFCA is No. 4.
Next game
The Eagles host Lee Christian on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.
Gunner Dorman turns a game-ending double play at second.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Cole Godwin snares the ball at first for the final out.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Coach Bill Parrish (seated) and assistant Tommy Burns watch the action.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Fisher Stancil pitched a scoreless final inning for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Assistant Jay Smith has a word with starting pitcher Eli Burns.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Conner Parrish sets up behind the plate in Tuesday’s win over Ridgecroft.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Eli Burns yielded one run in four innings against Ridgecroft.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Cole Godwin had three hits and three RBIs in CFCA’s first game since March 26.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
