North Surry took advantage of a shaky Mount Airy pitching staff and capitalized when it needed to in the Greyhounds’ 12-4 season-opening win Thursday.

“They had a little control problems early,” North Surry coach Tim Collins said. “We were very patient at the plate, made the pitcher throw strikes and got some key hits when we needed to.”

The Granite Bears’ pitching staff couldn’t find the plate — or miss North Surry batters — and put runners on the bases early in the game. North Surry, in turn, scored fours runs in both the first and second innings.

Mount Airy coach Mack Hodges said the four batters hit by starter Reece Barbour in the first two innings certainly helped put the Bears down from the start.

“From our standpoint, obviously pitching wise early on we hit too many batters and walked too many and they capitalized on those mistakes and put us in a big hole early,” Hodges said.

Leading the onslaught for North Surry was Brescia College recruit Josh Holderfield, who went 2-for-5 and drove in four runs. Winning pitcher Taylor Hull helped his cause with a pair of hits and RBIs. Jordan Upchurch also had two hits and drove in two, while Ryan stone added a run-scoring single.

When they reached base without swinging the bat, the Greyhounds found ways to advance. Champ Reynolds reached base four times, had three steals and scored twice. Leadoff man Cody Palmer did his job by getting on four times and reaching home three times.

The basepath speed is something Collins wants to see throughout the season. The Greyhounds had seven steals in all.

“We’re a young team, but I like the talent level and the aggressiveness,” he said. “We’ve got some speed and we’re trying to make things happen”

Hull combined with Wes Hunter in a North Surry pitching effort that yielded nine strikeouts and four walks.

Coach Hodges said while the Bears couldn’t climb from their early inning deficit, he was happy with the poise his team showed after getting down.

“I was pleased will how we responded the rest of the game,” Hodges said. “After those first two innings it was pretty much a 4-4 game the rest of the way. I was a little disappointed in our hitting. I didn't feel we were very agressive early on in the game at bat. You give up four in the first innning and most of it's off hit batters, it kind of drains you a little bit, but

I think our experienced showed through tonight that we kept our heads.”

The Greyhounds host East Surry this afternoon, with the junior varsity beginning at 4 p.m. while Mount Airy will host West Wilkes Friday.

North Surry 12,

Mount Airy 4

North Surry 441 102 0 — 12 10 2

Mount Airy 010 200 1 — 4 5 3

WP: Taylor Hull; LP: Reece Barbour

2B: NS — Justin Mabe; MA — Josh Beasley.