ASHEBORO Hanging in the Asheboro High School dugout the past two days was a simple reminder given to the players by the coaching staff. It is a written message that simply states, Whatever it takes, make it happen.

For the second straight game, the Blue Comets made a lot happen.

AHS scored six runs in the first inning and Matt Stickle had an impressive varsity debut as the sophomore right-hander threw a two-hitter in helping the Blue Comets to a 13-0 six-inning victory over Central Davidson in the semifinals of the Mid-Piedmont Conference Tournament at McCrary Park Tuesday. The victory keeps the season alive for the seventh-seeded Blue Comets, who must win the tournament championship in order to qualify for the state playoffs.

That opportunity comes Thursday night at approximately 7 p.m. when AHS will meet Southern Guilford for the tournament title.

Central Davidson, the sixth-seed which upset third-seeded Ledford in first-round action Monday night, ends the season at 7-11.

Live another day, AHS coach Tim Murray said after the Blue Comets won their third straight game and improved to 9-13. Weve played better the last few days. The big first inning really took a lot of pressure off us. We came out and swung the bats.

That they did as AHS recorded six runs in the first inning, registering six hits. Freshman Tristan Marsh had two hits, one run scored and two RBIs in the inning and Jay Rorie had a RBI double.

They absolutely came out and hit the ball, said CD coach Matt Parsons. We made two errors the whole game and the second one didnt matter. Hats off to them. They came out more prepared and swung the bats early.

The early outburst was more than enough for Stickle, who missed the first three weeks of the jayvee season because of a broken hand. Stickle allowed a single to John Hanes in the second, but he was erased on a double play, and a two-out single to Ryan Shull in the third. Stickle walked one and struck out one and he retired the final 10 batters he faced.

We thought about it last night, Murray said of starting Stickle on the mound. We needed someone who throws strikes and we knew he could locate it and keep their running game in check. I know he was a little nervous pitching for varsity for his first time. I think giving him that big lead really took a lot of pressure off him.

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Blue Comets role into MPC finals