GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Davidson got their bats stared early, pushing a run across in the bottom of the first and another in the bottom of the second on their way to a 3-2 series sweeping victory over Cape Fear in the 4A State Softball Championship. The win gave North Davidson the school’s second fast-pitch state championship, their first since winning the 4A title in 2010.
Faith Jarvis opened the bottom of the first with a leadoff double for the Knights. Jarvis came home to score the game’s first run on a two-out RBI single by designated player Katie McNeill.
North Davidson followed almost an identical script for their run in the second as Syndey Snyder doubled to open the inning, this time scoring on an RBI groundout by Lexi Bryant to take a 2-0 lead.
Cape Fear did not go quietly as the Colts battled back in the sixth. Haley Cashwell started the inning off with a single, reaching second on an error while Bri Bryant drew a 1-out walk. Both came around to score, Cashwell on an RBI by Sammi Jo Loney and Bryant on an RBI groundout by Alyssa Goshorn to tie the game at two.
In the bottom half of the sixth, Autumn Stover got things started for the Knights with a leadoff single. Katie McNeill moved her up with a ground out and then Snyder drove her home with a two-out RBI single to put the Knights ahead for good 3-2.
Kaitlyn Knuckles pitched all six innings for Cape Fear. She kept the Colts in the game while their bats warmed up. Knuckles allowed three runs, all earned, including eight hits, with a walk and a strikeout.
Reagan Spencer pitched well for the Knights but ran into trouble in the sixth, where she was removed after giving up a pair of runs. Spencer was named the series MVP for her performance in the pitching circle over the two-game set. McNeill took over going the remaining 1.1 innings, retiring all four batters she faced including two strikeouts. She was credited with the win.
