Robbinsville – After beginning the season with a victory, the Black Knights are still looking for win No. 2.
Robbinsville (1-6, 0-5) returned to Loudon Orr Memorial Field after a 2-game road trip Tuesday, but the visiting Swain County Maroon Devils (5-3, 4-1) turned a close game into a runaway victory across the fifth and sixth innings, ending the affair early by handing the Knights a 14-1 loss.
“We’ve got to stop striking out, but we’re cutting down on errors and putting the ball in play,” said Robbinsville head coach Brent Icenhower. “We’re trying to get across to them that just because something bad happens, you shouldn’t hang your head.”
The Black Knights only managed one hit off starting pitcher Charlie Collins – a two-out single from Bryc Garrison in the third – as Collins struck out 10 Robbinsville batters. The Knights’ lone run came in the bottom of the sixth, when Garrison roped a leadoff double and later charged home on a Christian Phillips 2-bagger.
Robbinsville starter Graylen Orr held Swain in check until the fifth, when the Devils unloaded five runs – sparked by a leadoff homer from Gabe Lillard. Carson Taylor later hit a 3-run home run in the sixth.
Early lead falls
Murphy – Robbinsville scored three runs in the top of the first Friday at Konehete Park.
In response, Murphy (6-2, 4-1) plated six in the bottom of the inning.
The Knights’ offense re-ignited in the sixth and seventh, but could not catch up in time, as Robbinsville fell 12-8 to the Bulldogs.
Patterson had a 2-hit, 2-RBI game, while Buchanan and Phillips also roped two hits in the game.
All told, seven Knights recorded doubles: Patterson – with two – Ethan Orr, Phillips, Knight, Buchanan and Kade Garrison.
Jackets prevail
Hayesville – The Yellow Jackets did all of their damage in the first and third innings of Monday’s road game in Hayesville (3-0, 3-0).
Robbinsville finally cracked the scoreboard in the seventh – when Turpin singled to drive in Ethan Orr – but the comeback bid was cutoff moments later, as the Knights fell 7-1.
In addition to Turpin, Phillips and Buchanan also had hits for the Black Knights.
Ethan Orr put a stop in Hayesville’s offense in relief, recording three scoreless innings while striking out three Jackets.