LEW HEGE, HERALD SENIOR COLUMNIST

Randy Wrenn | Daily Herald Lead-off batter Candice Rooker hits a single in the fourth inning. Advertisement

Bailey Robinson tossed a two-hit shutout as host Roanoke Rapids topped Franklinton 2-0 in a Northern Carolina Conference softball game Tuesday night.

Robinson gave up a lead-off single to Morgan Tharrington to start the game, but got out of a mini-jam when shortstop Stephanie Rose went to her right and made a great catch, then doubled Tharrington off second to end the threat.

Robinson, a sophomore righthander, kept the Red Rams off the bases until Kaitlyn Averett singled in the sixth inning.

Carly Lawrence smacked a liner right down the rightfield line, but the Jackets' Candice Rooker made a great running grab to end the inning.

Roanoke Rapids jumped on Franklinton starter Michelle Bailey for two runs in the bottom of the first. Shelby Council and Kristy Shaw drew walks to start the frame.

Kalie Smith then drove a liner to left field for a double, with both runners scoring off the Ram southpaw.

In the bottom of the second, Robinson lined a double down the left field line and went to third on an error. However, she was thrown out at the plate on a botched squeeze play, ending the threat.

But it mattered little. Robinson mixed her pitches and applied the heat when she had to get out of a jam.

Tharrington relieved Bailey to start the fourth inning. Rose greeted her with a single, but Tharrington settled down and held the Yellow Jackets hitless the rest of the way.

The start of the game was delayed 40 minutes, but Robinson was ready and never let Franklinton mount a serious threat.

Next up for Roanoke Rapids is a conference clash at Northwest Halifax Friday afternoon at 4:30.