Eight straight for Gates

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 1, 2008

GATESVILLE – Gates County High School has won eight baseball games in a row.

The Red Barons defeated Northampton County High School n East, swept a double header from Weldon High School and then knocked off Northampton County High School n West last week to improve to 12-4 overall and 8-0 in Tar-Roanoke Conference play.

“We had a great week,” GCHS baseball boss Chris Stiles said. “We took care of business. We hit the ball well and had excellent pitching.”

The week started with a 16-0 thrashing of Northampton-East.

Hunt Lowe pitched a perfect game through the three-inning contest, allowing no hits and no walks while striking out five.

On the offensive end, Blake Hudgins led the way for the Red Barons with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate that included a double and two RBIs. Charlie Campbell was also perfect, going 2-for-2 with four RBIs and three runs scored, as was Dylan Lilley (2-for-2 with two RBIs).

John Morris also had a solid offensive outing with a 2-for-3 day at the plate that included a homerun, a double, four RBIs and three runs scored.

Thursday, the Red Barons welcomed Weldon High School and swept a doubleheader. The first game saw Gates win 16-0 behind another perfect game, this time from Dylan Lilley. He struck out eight in the process.

Chad Gurganus was 3-for-3 to lead the GC offense. He had a triple, three runs-batted-in and three runs scored. Will Doughtie was also perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Charlie Campbell, Blake Hudgins and Eric Johnson were each 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

In game two, Gates County won 9-1 after scoring four times in the first inning, twice in the second, once in the third and two more times in the fourth.

Will Doughtie got the pitching victory, going five innings and allowing no hits while striking out eight. He surrendered one run and four walks.

At the plate, Eric Johnson was 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI while John Morris was 1-for-1 with a double and two runs scored.

Hunt Lowe, Doughtie and Charlie Campbell were each 1-for-2 during the outing.

Gates County completed the sweep Friday afternoon during a trip to Northampton-West where they took an 18-0 victory in two innings.

Ethan Campbell was the winning pitcher, tossing a no-hitter while walking just two and striking out five.

Hunt Lowe was the leader on offense, checking in at 3-for-3 with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs scored. Will Doughtie was also a perfect 3-for-3 while he added three RBIs and two runs scored.

Charlie Campbell was 2-for-3 with a homerun, four RBIs, a double and two runs scored. Chad Gurganus was 1-for-2 for the afternoon with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.

The Barons will be back in action Thursday when they host Currituck.