APA wins sixth straight, rolls past Village Christian
Arendell Parrott’s Hunter Blythe allowed just three hits in a complete-game effort Monday in an 11-1 win over Village Christian. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News
Arendell Parrott’s offense has been rolling all season, but the defense and pitching has picked up drastically lately.
The Patriots defeated Village Christian 11-1 Monday to pick up their sixth straight win. APA (6-2) hasn’t scored less than seven runs in a game and average 11.9 per contest so far, but after giving up 30 runs in its two losses, the team has surrendered just seven during the wins, including six to Wilson Greenfield during a 12-6 victory March 12.
“We’re playing the right way in all aspects of the game right now,” Patriots coach Robert Kravitz said. “Our offense has been strong so far this year, and if we can keep throwing strikes and playing defense, we’re going to be a very tough team to beat.”
Arendell Parrott’s Matthew Huntley went 2-2 with a double, walk, two stolen bases, three runs and a hit by pitch in the Patriots’ 11-1 win over Village Christian. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News
The Knights (2-4) picked up a run on a Trey Johnson sacrifice fly in the top of the first, but the Patriots responded in the bottom of the frame. After Matthew Huntley and Shy Thompson drew walks, Jonah Beaman hit an RBI double, followed by Trey McLawhorn’s sacrifice fly to give APA the lead. Zach Vendemia and Garrett Gilop each had RBI base knocks in the first, followed by an RBI single from Beaman and a run-scoring double by McLawhorn in the second for the 6-1 advantage.
Beaman went 3-3 at the plate with 4 RBIs, including a 2-run double in the bottom of the fourth, followed by a fielder’s choice by Bren Harper to score two more.
“My dad and I go out and hit every Sunday, and we also spend a lot of time with Coach Kravitz in practice,” Beaman said. “I always feel like hitting is my strength and I’m feeling pretty good right now.”
On the mound, Hunter Blythe allowed just three hits and walked none in a complete game effort. The game ended in the bottom of the fifth when Thompson’s grounder couldn’t be handled, allowing Gilop to score the final run and put the mercy rule in effect.
“I think the defense is getting more comfortable behind me on the field and I’m just pitching to the bats, letting them make plays,” Blythe said.
Huntley said the team is playing well, but there’s plenty to accomplish.
“We feel good about this six-game winning streak, but we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Huntley said. “We want to win a state championship and don’t want this to be the last time anyone hears about Arendell Parrott baseball.”
