The Carolina Vipers (10-13) beat the Ballantyne Smokies (12-9) 2-1 in seven innings on Thursday at Ardrey Kell HS behind Lance Gower, who went 3-3 at the plate.
He singled in the second and fifth innings and tripled in the seventh inning.Rob Howard's six strikeouts were enough to push the Carolina Vipers past the Ballantyne Smokies. Howard allowed one earned run, five hits and one walk over six innings.
Lou Trosch (0-2) took the loss for the Ballantyne Smokies. He lasted just five innings, walked none, struck out four, and allowed two runs.