Four first-inning runs helped the Lake Norman Copperheads (20-16) to a 4-1 win over the Statesville Owls (19-18) at Hopewell HS on Thursday.

The Lake Norman Copperheads scored in the first on a solo home run by Pierce Suttles, an RBI home run by Suttles, a two-run home run by Suttles, and an RBI single by Patrick McClure.

Suttles racked up two RBIs on one hit for the Lake Norman Copperheads.

The Lake Norman Copperheads relied on Josh Bottenfield to eat up innings en route to the win. Bottenfield allowed one earned run, three hits and no walks while striking out five over 6 2/3 innings of work.

Skyler Strickland pitched lights out for the Statesville Owls. Strickland held the Lake Norman Copperheads hitless over four innings, allowed no earned runs, walked two and struck out two.

Kyle Nyenhuis was charged with the loss. He lasted just one inning, walked three, struck out one, and allowed four runs.