Cockayne shuts down Falcons in Dover win

Bryce Cockayne mowed down New Lima batters on Thursday to give Dover its first win of the season.

The senior pitcher struck out 14 batters and gave up one hit as the Longhorns beat the Falcons 7-3 in the Dover Festival.

There were early struggles as Cockayne walked the bases loaded with one out and then an error allowed two Falcons to score in the first inning.

But New Lima didn’t score again until the seventh and Cockayne only walked two more batters.

Brok Cooper and Ivan Ruiz had RBI singles and New Lima’s error led to another run as Dover took the lead for good in the second inning.

Cockayne helped himself with an RBI double in the sixth, which was followed by a two-run double off the bat of Trypp Lack.

Cockayne finished 2 for 4 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored.

Cooper also scored twice from the leadoff spot while Lack and Ruiz both drove in two runs.

Dover also surrendered just one hit in the first game of the day, but suffered a 5-3 loss to Ripley.

Three untimely errors and four free bases for the Warriors led to four unearned runs for the visitors.

Cockayne led Dover’s four-hit attack with a 2 for 4 showing that included a run and an RBI.