ROCKY MOUNT — Benton Moss of Rocky Mount pitched his way into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Record Book in baseball on Wednesday.

Moss struck out 20 and gave up just one hit as Rocky Mount beat Wilson Fike 8-0 at Fike.

Moss, who has already signed to play baseball at North Carolina, joins a short performance listing for strikeouts in a seven-inning game. There have been two other 20-strikeout performances and three 21-K games.

Interestingly enough, the NCHSAA seven-inning strikeout record in baseball is 22, held by Gary Johnson of Cherokee and set against Robbinsville in 1968.  A dropped third strike enabled one runner to reach base, meaning that Johnson actually struck out four in one inning and three in every other inning.

Moss has 37 strikeouts in his last 14 innings of work and has tied the Rocky Mount school record for career pitching victories.

We are grateful to Charles Alston of northcarolina.ihigh.com for reporting this outstanding achievement.