WINSTON-SALEM � Former Roberson High standout Chris Narveson had another strong pitching performance Saturday night for the Class A Potomac (Woodbridge, Va.) Cannons in their 3-1 win over the Winston-Salem Warthogs in a Carolina League game at Ernie Shore Field.

Potomac led 3-1 when Narveson was lifted in the eighth inning after retiring his last six batters, including four on strikeouts.

Narveson, who improved his record to 3-0, struck out nine in 7 2/3 innings and allowed just five hits and no earned runs.

The left-hander, the St. Louis Cardinals� second-round pick in the 2000 draft, has allowed just three earned runs in 35 innings (0.85 ERA) in five starts since joining Potomac in early May.

Pitching in front of more than a dozen family and friends, Narveson threw 95 pitches, including 64 for strikes, and made a great defensive play to get out of a second-inning jam.

"My family and friends have only been able to see me pitch a couple of times this year, so it was nice to do well in front of them,�� Narveson said. "I was very relaxed all night and all my pitches seemed to be working.

"Everything is going great so far, and I�m having a blast.��

With the bases loaded and one out, Narveson made a diving catch on a ground ball to his right. From his knees, he spun around and threw home for a force out. The 19-year-old then struck out the next batter.

Contact Jarrett at 232-5867 or [email protected]