SKYLAND - Before an out had been recorded Thursday at Roberson, notebooks were flapping in the breeze alongside radar guns and hand-held stopwatches.

Welcome to "The Cameron Maybin Show."

Fortunately for the Rams, one of the nation's top juniors is also surrounded by a state championship-caliber team.

Maybin and Charlotte recruit Blair Wells each hit long home runs and drove in a combined seven runs (Wells four and Maybin three) to lift the Rams (2-0) past Swain County, 9-2.

Before a collection of scouts that included representatives from the St. Louis Cardinals, Roberson sophomore pitcher Josh Thrailkill was unhittable in his first outing of the year, striking out eight of the nine Maroon Devils he faced.

"All the ingredients are definitely here on this team for something special," Thrailkill said.

"But we've got to keep coming together and stay focused."

Maybin, who added 15 pounds of muscle and played on an elite Connie Mack team in Cincinnati over the summer, drove out a fastball from Cory Sutton in the second inning after Wells smacked a three-run shot in the first.

This time last year, Swain beat Roberson, 9-6, but never threatened the Rams' advantage Thursday. Both schools were ranked No. 2 in their respective classes in preseason polls conducted by Impact Baseball.

"I'll be honest, it's real easy to come over here and be in awe because Roberson has players like Blair and Cameron who will do that to you," Maroon Devils coach Steve Maennle said. "Our kids didn't quit, but that's a great baseball team over there."

Cody White and Jeremy Cochran each produced hits and runs for Swain in the fourth inning after Thrailkill retired to the Rams' dugout.

There, major-league free agent Darren Holmes barked out advice to the Rams hurlers who are taking the mound 20 years after he did for the school.

Holmes pitched for the Atlanta Braves the past two seasons.

"The downside is I'd like to see him compete somewhere this season, but until then we've got the best pitching coach in the state," Roberson coach Tom Smith said.

Also for Roberson, Wesley Williams went 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored, Clay Roland was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored and Justin Jackson went 2-for- 2 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored.

Contact Pearson at 232-5863 or [email protected].