Staff report
GASTONIA – Rowan County beat Shelby 9-4 on Sunday morning to continue a streak of getting at least one win in every state tournament in which it has appeared.
Scheduled for 9 a.m., the game actually started closer to 10:30 a.m after some morning showers at Sims Legion Park.
Rowan never trailed on its way to eliminating Post 82 from the tournament. Kendal Sifford (5-1) pitched a complete game and Cole Blevins homered and drove in five runs.
Rowan failed to score after loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the first, but Rowan worked hard for two runs in the second. There were two sacrifice bunts in the inning. Maddox Moore singled. Gaige Scruggs bunted him to second. After Drew Pegram walked, Cameron Williamson moved two runners with a bunt. That gave Blevins a chance, and he produced a two-run single.
Rowan made it 6-0 in the fourth, knocking out Shelby starter Nick DiRisi. Brody Pope’s two-run single was the key blow.
Shelby scored twice in the top of the fifth to get within 6-2, but Rowan answered with a three-run homer by Blevins with Scruggs and Williamson on base.
Sifford gave up two runs in the seventh, but he was able to finish the game with his third strikeout. He also walked three. He allowed five hits.
Blevins had three of Rowan’s eight hits. Moore had two.
Blevins, Pegram and Scruggs scored two runs each.
Shelby 000 020 2 – 4
Rowan 020 430 x – 9
W – Sifford (5-1). L – DiRisi.
HR – Blevins (7).
