CHINA GROVE, N.C. – The third time was a charm.

After being swept in the regular season by the defending 3A state champions, West Rowan used a red-hot start to take down East Rowan 9-2 and hoist the South Piedmont Conference Tournament title.

The first four hitters in the Falcons’ lineup combined for six hits, seven batted in, and eight runs scored.

West instantly claimed the lead when Brody Pope doubled home two in the top of the first. Carter Durant scored him on a sacrifice fly to the center to push the lead to 3-0.

After East Rowan grabbed a run in its half of the first, the Falcons responded with another crooked number.

Durant drove in his second run in as many innings with a sacrifice fly to left. Then, leading 4-1, Ben Koontz doubled to score Cole Blevins.

Harrison Ailshie put a dent in the Mustangs’ deficit, and the right field scoreboard at Carson High School, when he launched line drive home run in the third to make it 5-2.

The Falcons went on to grab three more in the fifth and one in the seventh to seal the win.

Maddox Moore went 3-for-4 with three runs, while Durant and Pope combined to drive in six. Blevins also crossed three times in the win.

Brant Graham earned the win with four innings pitched and two runs allowed. Blevins and Durant pitched three scoreless innings in relief.

East Rowan freshman Brady Ailshie struck out five and allowed four unearned runs over his 4.1 innings of relief. Mason Phelps was tagged with the loss after allowing five to score in his two-inning start.

Phelps, Harrison Ailshie, and Krys Hernandez all had multi-hit efforts for the Mustangs.

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