Jamari Thompson pitched a 3-hitter and visiting Coats–Erwin collected 20 hits in rolling to an 18–1 win over defending conference champion Harnett Central on Monday afternoon in a battle of middle school baseball unbeatens on the Raiders’ field.

Now 5–0 on the season, the Falcons moved into sole possession of first place. The loss was Harnett Central’s first since the 2017 season and dropped the Raiders to 5–1.

Thompson went the distance on the mound, striking out six and allowing no earned runs.

Catcher Gavin Klein had four hits to lead Coats-Erwin offensively. Jalen Evans, Braxton Davis, and Tucker Brown had three hits each. Wyatt Avery added two hits. Getting one hit apiece were Hunter Thompson, Jamari Thompson, Cristian Barajas, Jaleel White, and C.J. Herring.

Playing well defensively were Brown, White, Evans, and Klein.

The Falcons have an open date Thursday before hosting Highland on Tuesday.