CCBC Essex Loses Despite Out-Hitting Surry Knights

DOBSON, N.C. - Despite out-hitting Surry Community College seven to six, CCBC Essex fell short in a 6-5 loss on Saturday. Sophomore Justin Cook (Bradenton, Fla.) and freshman Connor Bailey (Salisbury, Md.) each collected two hits for CCBC Essex in the hard-fought contest.

Surry took an early lead in the first inning when a wild pitch allowed the first run to score. However, Essex responded in the second, taking a 2-1 lead after sophomore Maxwell Urena (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch, and a Surry error brought home another run.

Surry reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the second, making it 4-2 after Zach McNeely singled in a run and Abram Apel doubled to drive in two more.

CCBC Essex cut the lead to one in the fifth when Bailey launched a two-run home run to left field, energizing the Knights' offense.

However, Surry held on, as Apel earned the win with three and two-thirds innings of solid work, allowing just two hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out six and walking two. Nathan Greene secured the save.

Shore Mitchell Bayles (Richmond, Va.) made his first start for CCBC Essex since transferring in, taking the loss. The right-hander pitched three innings, giving up four runs on three hits, striking out three, and walking five.

Bailey led CCBC Essex at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Cook added two hits to the effort.

Apel led Surry with two RBIs from the number nine spot in the lineup, finishing 1-for-1 on the day. Lucas Graham, Elijah Palmer, McNeely, Nohr Issa, Tate Green, and Apel each recorded a hit for the Knights. Surry also showed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks, with Colby Umbarger and Green each walking twice.

The Knights will look to bounce back in the series finale on Sunday at 12 p.m. at Surry Community College, hoping to get back on track for the 2025 season.