RCW Sports: Rowan County Routs Concord 12-1 at Newman Park

SALISBURY, NC — It didn’t take long for Monday night’s American Legion matchup to get out of hand. After an 82-minute rain delay, Rowan County wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard — and Concord’s self-inflicted mistakes only helped speed up the process.

Rowan County (10-4, 4-1) needed just five innings to notch a 12-1 division win at Newman Park, the team’s fourth straight victory. In a game where they recorded 12 runs on only seven hits — six of which were singles — it was Concord’s nine walks, four errors, three hit batters, a balk, and several wild pitches that proved costly.

Concord (6-3, 1-1) had entered the game fresh off a division win over Kannapolis, but struggled to find any rhythm Monday. Early base-running woes erased scoring chances in the first three innings, with Concord runners thrown out at home, third, and second. The out at home was no fault of their own, as Rowan center fielder Brice Knox fired a strike to Gaige Scruggs, who applied the tag to end the first inning with a highlight-worthy defensive play.

Offensively, Rowan struck early and often — scoring two runs in each of the first and third innings, four in the second, and another four in the fourth to put the game away via the 10-run rule.

Carter Durant led the way with a two-run single and sacrifice fly, totaling three RBIs. Eli Graham collected two hits, drove in two, and scored twice. Scruggs had a unique night — scoring three times without recording an official at-bat. Cole Blevins reached base in all four of his plate appearances, going 1-for-1 with three walks and three runs scored.

On the mound, Marshal Faw navigated early traffic before giving way to Corbin Hales (2-0) in the third inning. Hales held steady through two frames and picked up the win. Chase Fisher slammed the door with three straight strikeouts in the top of the fifth.

The two teams will meet again Tuesday night at A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis — a site known for some memorable Rowan-Concord battles. Concord will look to rebound quickly on their home turf, while Rowan will aim to keep the momentum rolling.