Eighth Inning Rally Keys HiToms Road Win

ASHEBORO, N.C. – Trip Dunn drove in the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning as the High Point-Thomasville HiToms defeated the Asheboro Copperheads, 2-1.

Despite the 13 hits between both teams, it was a pitcher’s duel throughout. Asheboro’s lone run came off the bat of Brandon Krieg, a RBI single in the bottom of the second. High Point-Thomasville was held off the board the first seven innings, but down 1-0 in the top of the eighth, the HiToms struck gold.

With one out, Cody Brittain (so., USC Upstate) reached first base on a fielding error by Copperhead shortstop Brandon Krieg. One batter later, Jared Allen (jr., Middle Tennessee State) stroked a RBI to right-center off of Asheboro pitcher Kellen Urbon (0-1) scoring Brittain from second to tie the game at one apiece. After Allen advanced to third on a flyout, catcher Trip Dunn (RS Fr., Catawba Valley) looped the game-winning RBI single to right center.

Neither team’s starting pitcher drew a decision. Asheboro (2-3) starter Beau Hilton threw six innings of scoreless ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six. The HiToms’ Chase Cunningham (jr., Belmont) allowed the lone run and five hits with six punchouts in six innings. Right-hander Blake Smith (jr., Morehead State) came on in relief to throw two scoreless innings to earn his first win of the year (1-0) and Eric Sharff (fr., Delaware State) shut the door in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

The HiToms return home tomorrow to take on the Kernersville Bulldogs in an exhibition at Finch Field with first pitch at 5:00pm.