photo: John Fletcher Tyler Radford, left, and Justin Talbot (23) of Roberson carry the trophy from the Buncombe County Baseball Tournament Championship on Wednesday after beating Reynolds.

LEICESTER - The Buncombe County Tournament has always been special to Roberson coach Tom Smith, who has participated in it as a player and coach.

But this week the annual event was even more special to him because his baseball team had an opportunity to win its eighth consecutive title - a feat never accomplished.

"This game," Smith told his players Wednesday before they took the field, "is for the record."

With his players continuing their torrid hitting, Smith and Roberson won the tournament for the eighth year in a row with a 13-3 victory over Reynolds on a warm evening at Erwin High School's Bagwell Field.

Roberson had shared the record with Reynolds, which won seven consecutive titles from 1980 to 1982 and from 1984 to 1987. Rain canceled the tournament in 1983.

Reynolds (10) and Roberson (nine) have combined to win 19 of the 29 titles.

"As competitive as Buncombe County baseball is," Smith said, "that record might not be broken."

The championship game lasted only five innings behind Roberson's seventh 10-run mercy rule this season.

Senior Tyler Radford was 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs for the Rams (13-0).

"I was seeing the ball well," Radford said. "That helped me stay back and wait on good pitches to hit."

Juniors Wesley Williams (2-for-4) and Cameron Maybin (1-for-3) scored two runs, as did senior Theo Herila (0-for-2). Junior Clay Roland (1-for- 2) had two RBIs. Senior Justin Talbot (1-for-2) and freshman Justin Jackson (1-for-3) added one run and a RBI apiece.

Senior Matt Redinger was 2-for-2 with a two-run double for the Rockets (4-8). Sophomore Steffon Montgomery also was 2-for-2. Senior Josh Noles (0-for-2), sophomore Travis Brown (1-for-2) and sophomore Cameron Duckworth (1-for-3) each scored one run.

The Rockets stranded six runners, two each in the final three innings. They also committed six errors, including four in the Rams' seven-run fourth inning.

"We hit the ball well until we got runners on base," Reynolds coach Bryan Craig said, "then we didn't hit it well at all. We didn't make plays on routine balls either."

Junior Seth Laughter got the win for Roberson, allowing two runs and seven hits in four innings. Freshman Sam Runion took the loss for Reynolds yielding eight runs on eight hits and three walks. The Rockets' defense didn't help Runion much committing three errors during his three innings of work.

Contact Messer at 232-5837 or [email protected].