Falcon arms stymie Starmount

EAST BEND — Forbush’s pitching staff and defense continues to impress in the nonconference season, which includes a 7-0 win on Friday night against Yadkin County rival Starmount.

The Falcons, now 3-1 this spring, have only allowed only one run on five hits through the club’s first four games, and includes back-to-back no-hitters in the previous two games.

Forbush pitchers Riley Campbell and Holden Moxley looked to make it three-straight no-nos but the bid was denied courtesy of a Nohr Issa single in the first inning.

That opening inning set the tone for the game in more than one way.

The Falcons plated four runs in the home half of the inning, highlighted by a two-run triple from Campbell.

After the junior scored when Thomas Conrad reached on an error, Dylan McClamrock pushed the lead to 4-0 with a sacrifice bunt that scored Conrad.

Despite the shaky start, Issa pitched well in a losing effort. The Starmount senior struck out six and scattered four hits in 4 2/3 innings of work.

Issa ran into trouble in the fifth though after he issued a two-out single to Conrad. Jackson Craver would come in to relieve Issa after the base hit.

Conrad, a Northwest Florida State College-signee, stole second and took third on a passed ball before he scored on a wild pitch from Craver, who ultimately induced a Logan Boles groundout to end the inning.

The Falcons tacked on two more runs in the sixth as Matthew Glenn scored on a throwing error and Victor Soderberg stole home.

After Issa’s base hit, Campbell and Moxley did not allow a Ram base runner to advance past second base the entire game.

Campbell (five innings), who picked up the win, and Moxley (two innings) each struck out five during their time on the mound.

Issa and Craver combined to strike out nine and allowed just five hits for Starmount, which dropped to 2-2 with the loss.

Along with Issa, Brayden Snow reached base three times in the game, courtesy of a trio of walks. Luke Burchette reached twice on a walk and was hit by a pitch.

The Rams returned to the field on Wednesday at Surry Central and will host Thomasville the next night. They’ll open up Northwest 1A Conference play on March 19 against North Stokes.

In addition to Conrad and Campbell, Gavin Maines, Colton Moxley and C.J. Boyd all had base hits. The Falcons opened up Foothills 2A Conference play on Tuesday night against West Wilkes and will travel to Millers Creek on Friday.