ROWLAND — Red Springs baseball coach Chris Howell has been grooming his current team for two years and now boasts one of the most experienced, offensively talented groups in the Three Rivers Conference.

Seniors Jayshawn Carthen, Jaylen Mack and Coty Locklear have provided the majority of the offense and according to Howell, have been the driving force to an unbeaten team.

“I’ve been challenging them because they’re the ones that start the inning…so the rest of the team’s going to follow suit off what they do,” Howell said of his veteran leaders who led the Red Devils to a 10-2 road victory over South Robeson on Monday.

“If they get on base, it kind of leads to good things behind them.”

The Red Devils (5-0, 4-0 TRC) trio combined for eight hits and lived on the basepaths, keeping the team undefeated on the year.

In the fourth inning, Carthen, Mack and Locklear scored three of the squad’s four runs to open an 8-0 lead. Locklear continued his hot streak of late, going a perfect 3-for-3 on two doubles and adding a pair of runs.

Carthen notched three more hits to his team-high total this season and crossed the plate three times.

Mack proved his all-around value, getting the start at pitcher and going 2-for-4 at the plate, while also scoring three runs.

On the mound, Mack has had to assume a new role as the second starter in a solid rotation. Howell says the natural catcher is adjusting nicely.

“He’s coming around. He’s stepping up and being that other guy for us,” Howell said. “It’s a learning curve, but he’s played enough baseball and I’ve got full confidence in him.”

Mack struck out seven, walked two and gave up two runs in four innings. He dominated the first three innings, keeping the Mustangs (0-2, 0-2 TRC) scoreless while giving up just two hits.

In the bottom of the fourth, Mack slowed down and gave up four hits that yielded two runs.

South Robeson coach Ryan Bullard watched his group struggle through a 17-run loss the night prior and was relieved to see improvement on both sides on Tuesday.

“From yesterday to today was a major improvement,” he said. “I’m not ever happy about a loss, but I do like to see gradual progression.”

Austin Chavis and Clark Cummings had two hits apiece for the Mustangs. Chavis and Jeremiah Lowery had the only runs for the group.

Red Springs infielder Cameron Locklear finished with a team-high three RBIs.

Meanwhile, Howell is pleased with how his group finished off an in-county opponent ahead of their battle with conference powerhouse Whiteville, who is also undefeated, in two days.

“We try to take every game serious. I just didn’t want them overlooking to Thursday,” he said.

“Anytime you start off 5-0 it’s good, but we’ll find out what we’re made of Thursday. It’s going to take both sides of the field, defense and offense, to beat a good team like that.”

South Robeson travels to East Columbus on Friday.

Red Springs girls get first win in blowout over South Robeson

After trailing by two runs after the opening inning, the Red Springs softball team used a huge rally in the fifth to a 20-9 blowout victory at South Robeson on Monday.

For the Lady Red Devils (1-4, 1-3 TRC), the win marked their first on the season. Kiera Bryant led four players with at least three hits. Aryle Hunt scored four runs in the victory as the team brought eight across the plate in the fifth to close out the win.

The Lady Mustangs (0-2, 0-2 TRC) still search for the first win on the year. Makoa Riveira led a group of Lady Mustangs with three hits including one in the first that helped get a 2-0 lead. KK Riveira added two hits.

Donnell Coley | The Robesonian Red Springs’ Jaylen Mack winds up for a pitch against South Robeson on Tuesday. Mack struck out seven in the 10-2 win to keep the Red Devils undefeated.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_JMACKPITCH2_SR-1.jpgDonnell Coley | The Robesonian Red Springs’ Jaylen Mack winds up for a pitch against South Robeson on Tuesday. Mack struck out seven in the 10-2 win to keep the Red Devils undefeated.
Seniors lead Red Springs to sweep over South Robeson

By Donnell Coley

Staff writer

Donnell Coley can be reached at 910-416-5165 or by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @Sportsinmyveins.