Gryphons, Harrison mow down Northern Nash

Rocky Mount High’s David Harrison pitches to Northern Nash on Thursday at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALAN CAMPBELL

Rocky Mount High’s Spencer Ramsey, left, reaches for third base as Northern Nash’s Andrew Meade attempts to tag him after he slid by the base Thursday at Rocky Mount High School. Ramsey safely advanced to third on a wild pitch.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALAN CAMPBELL

Rocky Mount High’s David Harrison, right, receives congratulations from coach Pat Smith after hitting a triple Thursday during the game against Northern Nash at Rocky Mount High School.
©TELEGRAM PHOTO / ALAN CAMPBELL

David Harrison was back to a familiar routine. And pitching on full rest, the Rocky Mount High left-hander had no trouble working through the Northern Nash lineup on Thursday.

The Gryphons senior mowed down the Knights, allowing one hit and striking out 12 in a complete-game 7-0 win on Thursday.

“My location was on today,” said Harrison, who didn’t issue a walk. “I got it back. I felt I could control all of my pitches. I used my curveball the most, probably more than any of my other starts. It was just one of those days.”

Harrison set the knights down in order in every inning except the second. It was the Knights’ lone opportunity to score, as starting pitcher Josh Daniels led off the inning with a single. Aaron Gerlach reached on a fielder’s choice, and Northern Nash bunted the runners to second and third.

But that’s where they stayed as Harrison struck out the next two batters.

“I think he threw one ball in the dirt all game,” RMH catcher Zack Keeter said. “He’s a special pitcher who makes my life a lot easier behind the plate. He was outstanding tonight, hitting his spots, working the corners, elevating the ball. He was just lights out.”

The Gryphons offense did its part, too. RMH collected 11 hits, with Jamar Ellis leading the way with a 3-for-4 effort and a pair of RBIs. RMH scored a run in the first, before pushing four across in the third to push the score out of reach.

The win secured the Gryphons of the second seed in the Big East Conference tournament, which begins on Monday. Two weeks ago, however, they were in the race for first place, and made a run.

It started when Harrison had just finished an efficient outing in a win over Northern Nash on a Tuesday, throwing fewer than 50 pitches. That gave RMH coach Pat Smith all the ammunition he needed to move forward with his plan.

Smith decided to make a play for the Big East Conference title, and Harrison was the path to get there. The left-handed N.C. State recruit started two days later on Thursday in a win over Nash Central. That put him in line for third consecutive start against Wilson Hunt, the conference leaders.

Harrison wasn’t as sharp, having started three games in the span of a week, and the Gryphons lost by two runs. That win would have split the season series. Instead, the the Gryphons played for the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the conference tournament.

“He didn’t have a bullpen that whole week,” Smith said. “And he rested over the weekend before the Hunt game. But now, having David rested, with a regular bullpen, you saw how he looked. He pitched great tonight.”