Staff report
LANDIS — Catawba recruit Brant Graham dominated on the mound and Carter Durant, a Catawba-bound slugger, knocked in five runs as Rowan County’s American Legion baseball team started Area 3 league play by crushing Matthews 11-1 on Friday.
Graham (2-1) didn’t allow a hit until the fifth and Matthews (7-7, 0-1) didn’t get on the scoreboard until it plated an unearned run in the sixth. Graham pitched a complete game, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out eight.
Rowan ended the game early in the sixth with the sort of power display fans have been hoping to see. Cole Blevins socked his first homer of the summer leading off the sixth. After a walk to Maddox Moore, Durant walloped his second homer to give Rowan a 10-run-rule victory.
Rowan (9-2, 1-0) took advantage of six Matthews errors and has won its last seven since a 2-2 start to the season.
The long-balls were the fourth and fifth of the summer for Rowan. Jayven Parks, who has been out with a shoulder issue, and Kendal Sifford also have hit a home run.
Durant started Friday’s scoring with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. Cameron Williamson’s double highlighted a three-run second that gave Graham a 4-0 cushion.
Drew Pegram tripled to get a three-run fourth inning started, as Rowan pulled away. Durant had a two-run single in the fourth.
Blevins had a double in addition to his homer. Moore didn’t have any hits, but he drew three walks, stole two bases and scored three times. Luke Ponczka leads the team in hits and went 2-for-3. Pegram had two hits and scored three runs. Willamson had two hits and knocked in two.
Matthews 000 001 – 1
Rowan Co. 130 313 – 11
W – Graham (2-1). L – Long.
HR – Durant (2), Blevins (1).
