Dalton Truesdale belted a two-run home run in the third inning to bring North Central within a run of Chesterfield. It would not be enough, however, as the Golden Rams left Boonetown with a 6-2 win Friday night.

The loss left the hosts Knights with an 0-4 overall record and an 0-3 mark in Region 4-AA play.

In addition to his two-run blast, Truesdale added a single in the first inning to account for two of the Knights’ three hits in the contest.

Truesdale, a senior, also took to the pitching mound for the second time in three nights after having pitched in relief in Wednesday’s loss to Central.

On Friday, the right-hander got the starting nod and worked the first six innings, allowing five runs --- three earned --- while fanning three and walking three batters.

“We played a good game,” said second-year NC head coach Brandon Faulkenberry, whose defense committed just two errors after having made a dozen in the loss to Central.

“I think this game shows our true talent level. We only lost, 6-2, and we played good baseball.”

Chesterfield scored two runs in the top of the first before adding an unearned run in the second off Truesdale who had a one-out single in the home half of the first inning. 

Trailing, 3-0, the Knights’ third inning opened with 

Tyler Faulkenberry being hit by a pitch. Truesdale followed with a bomb well beyond the fence in left center to draw the hosts within 3-2.

The home run came on only Truesdale’s third at-bat of the season.

Chesterfield pushed across solo runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh frames to close the scoring.

In addition to Truesdale’s 2-for-3 night at the plate, Tanner Stephens supplied the hosts with their only other hit as he cracked a one-out single in the second inning.