- RM junior Nick Hahula                                                                                                    

PINETOPS - Talk about helping yourself.

Rocky Mount junior pitcher Nick Hahula got his first-ever varsity start Thursday in the Gryphons' NEW 6 matchup at SouthWest Edgecombe.

Not only did he get the win, his third of the season, but he also knocked in four runs - including slamming his first-ever home run in a 14-2, six-inning victory over the Cougars. It was Rocky Mount's 12th straight win.

Hahula, now 3-0 on the season, went four innings and allowed two runs on six hits, walked no one and struck out two.

But he also made his presence known at the plate, too.

In his first at-bat in the No. 6 spot, he plated two runs with a single to left in the first. The very next inning, he slammed a Tommy Tolson (SWE's loser) offering over the fence in left-center for a two-run home run.

But he wasn't alone in the hit parade. His teammates added 12 more for a 14-hit effort. RMHS batted around in the first, and saw nine Gryphons come to the plate in both the second and sixth innings. In each of the frames, the Gryphons (18-3, 8-0 NEW 6) pushed four runs across the plate.

Hahula gave up a bomb in the first for the Cougars' only runs. Jordan Baker, with D.J. Edmondson aboard, planted a Hahula high fastball over the left field fence. At that time, SWE (5-16, 0-8) cut Rocky Mount's lead to 4-2.

However, RM was never threatened the rest of the way.

Dillon Cockrell finished up for Hahula - going two innings - allowing just one hit, no walks with just one strikeout.

Rocky Mount travels to Wilson Fike (15-4, 7-1) Tuesday for an opportunity for the Gryphons to win the outright NEW 6 crown with a win. RMHS won their first meeting 3-1 in a misty rain two weeks ago.


ROCKY MOUNT 14, SW EDGECOMBE 2

WP: Nick Hahula (3-0, 4IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 2K)

LP: Thomas Tolson (1.2IP, 9H, 8R, 8ER, 2BB, 2K)

Leading hitters:

RM - Brian Goodwin, 3-5, 3B, RBI, 2R; Nick Hahula 2-3, HR, 4 RBI, R; Grant Johnson 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 4R; Chris Berry, 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI, 2R; Ben Fish 2-3, 2B, RBI, R; Gabe Brown 1-1, 2B, RBI; Dillon Cockrell 1-2, 2B; Chris Pittman 1-3.

SWE - Jordan Baker 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, R; D.J. Edmondson 3-3, R; Scott Tharrington 1-2; Thomas Tolson 1-3; Chris Ellerbee 1-3.

Records: Rocky Mount 18-3, 8-0 in NEW 6 3-A play; SW Edgecombe 5-16, 0-8