The Piedmont Pride had to wait an hour and a half to take on the Carolina Vipers due to lightning in the area, but when the teams got down to it, The Pride defeated the Vipers 7-2. John Brocklebank took a no-hitter into the 6th inning, and a three run 8th helped The Pride improve to 12-2 on the season and take the tie-breaker for first place in the SCBL.
The Pride got on the board first in the bottom of the 1st inning when a Kale Rhame single scored Robert Satcher from second and the Red and Blue would draw first blood.
The score would remain 1-0 until the 5th inning when another Rhame RBI single would advance Mark Engel to the plate and The Pride added to their lead, 2-0.
The Vipers would break up John Brocklebanks no-hitter in the sixth inning with a solo home run and a single with runners on the corners tied the game up at 2-2.
The Pride would reclaim the lead with two run 7th inning with perfect base running on a steal to take the lead and a pass ball allowed The Pride to add another and make it a, 4-2 game.
The Red and Blue would add the insurance runs in the 8th when Josh Baker singled and advanced to third on a two base error. With two men on base Baker collected two RBI’s on the play. Baker would make it an 8-2 game when a pass ball allowed him to score.
John Brocklebank gave The Pride one of the best starting performances of the season. Brocklebank threw for 6.0 innings, allowing two hits, and striking out four Vipers.
Grant Wagner is becoming a staple in The Pride bullpen. Wagner came in and threw for 3.0 innings, allowing no hits and striking out five batters. On the season, Wagner has been phenomenal for the Red and Blue posting an impressive 15.2 innings with 21 strikeouts, while only allowing six earned runs.
Kale Rhame went three for three on the day with two RBI’s and a walk. Josh Baker joined in on the hit party going three for three with two RBI’s.
The Pride will be back in action tomorrow, June 22nd as they head to take on the Charlotte Galaxy with first pitch set for 7 P.M.
