Robbinsville upended by Swain County
Bryson City – Entering the fifth inning of the final Robbinsville sporting event for the foreseeable future, things were knotted at 0-0.
The Black Knights broke the deadline in the top of the frame and seemed poised to take command as the game entered the bottom of the fifth. Sadly, Swain County had other plans.
The Maroon Devils (1-3, 1-1) responded to Robbinsville’s run by putting nine runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, doing all the damage needed to pick up a 9-2 win over the Black Knights (3-1, 2-1).
Knights head coach Brent Icenhower was quick to defend the outcome.
“The score of the game does not reflect how we played,” he said. “We only had one error and only struck out two times. Swain had the best pitching we have faced this year. They just had one inning where Swain just had base hits and gap shots. They hit the ball where we weren’t.”
Bryce Coats doubled in the game, while Kamron McGuire and Kayden Brock each drove in a run for the Black Knights. Coats and Landyn Hall had a pair of strikeouts on the mound as well.
“Overall, I was very pleased with our performance,” Icenhower added. “We didn’t quit after they jumped ahead of us. We fought until the end. I saw a lot of positives in our performance.”
Much like any coach you talk to, he was disappointed – but understanding – of the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s decision to postpone the spring sports season until at least Monday, April 6, as Robbinsville is off to a 3-1 start.
“It is unfortunate the season has came to a halt because I feel like we started to really get in a groove,” Icenhower said. “We were improving each game.”
March 12, 2020
R’Ville 000 011 0 – 2 3 1
Swain Co. 000 090 x – 9 12 2
WP – Co. Taylor (1-1). LP – Hall (0-1). 2B – Coats; I. Brooks. RBI – McGuire, Brock; I. Brooks 2, Lillard, Lossiah, Ca. Taylor, Jones, Jackson. S – Beavers. SB – Hall, Brock, H. Brooks; Jones 2. Pitch Count: Hall 83, Coats 41; Co. Taylor 78.