1A Softball Championship Game 2: North Stokes wins second State Championship sweeping Camden County with 6-5 win in Game 2
RALEIGH, NC – North Stokes came from behind in stunning fashion in Game 2, defeating Camden County 6-5 to complete the sweep of the best-of-three series and win the school’s second softball State Championship. Allee Boles slapped a two-out, two-RBI single back up the middle in the top of the seventh to put the Vikings in front for good, 6-5.
The Vikings opened the game strong, ripping off three runs in the top of the first. Reid Hawkins got a one-out single followed by a walk to Autumn Martin. Then Lora Wood singled to center to drive in Hawkins and put North Stokes up 1-0. Series Most Valuable Player Sierra Hubbard ripped a single through the left side to plate a pair of runs with two outs and give North Stokes an early 3-0 lead. She finished the series 4 for 7 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Camden stormed back in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs as Hannah Ferebee doubled to left field scoring Kaiyah Dooley who had doubled to lead off the inning. Ferebee came around to the plate on a two-out, RBI single by Hailey Bunting to trim the Viking lead to 3-2.
The Bruins surged into the lead for the first time in the series in the bottom of the fifth. A walk and hit batsman started the inning before Briana Bratton singled to center field bringing around Ferebee and Kamryn Nash to put Camden County up 4-3. Then after a walk pushed Bratton to second, Bratton made it to third on a passed ball. That set her up to come across the plate on a double play ball by Nicole Villardi, giving the Bruins a 5-3 advantage.
North Stokes battled back in the top of the sixth, cutting the Bruin lead in half as Sydney Mabe ground out to second pushing a pinch runner, Mya Sheppard, running for Wood who opened the inning with a single, across to make it 5-4 in favor of Camden. The Vikings set the table for Boles’ late-inning heroics with a pair of one-out singles, one by Carley Gravely and the other by Hawkins. Then Wood was hit by a pitch with two away to load the bases before Boles brought home the game-winning runs.
Camden County finished the year with a 23-3 mark. The Bruins made it to the State Championship Series for the second time in school history, winning their second Eastern Regional Championship in the best-of-three era. They also have two appearances in the State Tournament from the four-team, double-elimination tournament era.
North Stokes completed the year 29-1. The Vikings claimed the second Softball State Championship in program history, their first since 2014 when they defeated Whiteville in three games.
1A Softball Championship Game 1: North Stokes slams way past Camden County 6-0 for Game 1 win
RALEIGH, NC – Autumn Martin was spectacular in the circle for North Stokes, twirling a two-hit complete game shutout as the Vikings shut out Camden County 6-0 in Game 1 of the best-of-three 1A Softball State Championship. Martin needed just 105 pitches, striking out 10 Bruin batters, without issuing a walk.
North Stokes bats were lively from the opening frame, pounding out 11 hits and taking advantage of three Camden County errors. The Vikings got all the offense they ultimately needed in the first inning, as Carley Gravely singled to right to lead off the inning, reaching second on a fielding error on the next batter. She advanced to third on a fly out to center by Lora Wood and then scored on the Bruins second error of the inning to give North Stokes a 1-0 lead.
The Vikings got three across in the fourth as Sydney Mabe got the rally started with an RBI triple to right plating Sierra Hubbard to go up 2-0. Mabe touched the plate on a single to center by Brittany Murray and Murray eventually scored on an RBI fielder’s choice to short by Martin, giving the Vikings a 4-0 lead. North Stokes added two more in the fifth to extend the lead to the final margin.
North Stokes looks for the series sweep in Game 2, which is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. this evening at Dail SoftballStadium on the campus of NC State University in Raleigh. Camden County would force a decisive Game 3 with a victory. All games of the 2019 NCHSAA Softball State Championship Series can be viewed live on the NFHS Network (www.NFHSNetwork.com).
2A Softball Championship Game 3: West Stanly shuts out Eastern Randolph 3-0 to take school’s third Softball title
GREENSBORO, NC – West Stanly got a complete game shutout from Jordan Hatch, picking up a 3-0 win in the third and final game of the NCHSAA 3A Softball State Championship Series over Eastern Randolph. The win secured the Colts’ third Softball State Championship.
Shelby Barbee was named the Most Valuable Player for the series thanks to her 4 for 10 performance at the plate with three RBI’s. Barbee went 2 for 3 in the series finale, including a pair of RBI’s to cement the victory.
West Stanly picked up a run in the home half of the first thanks to a leadoff double by Morgan Edwards. She came around to pick up the game’s first run on a two-out infield single by Rosalyn McRae. Then in the fifth M.V.P. Barbee sent a two-run shot over the fence in left to push the Colts’ lead to 3-0.
That was all the run-support Hatch needed, firing seven shutout innings in her 116 pitches. She scattered six hits and a walk while striking out six Wildcats.
Eastern Randolph finished the season 25-7. The Wildcats appeared in the State Tournament Finals for the third time in school history and the first time in the Best-of-Three Series era. The last trip to the State Finals for the Wildcats came in 2011.
West Stanly wrapped up the year 26-1. The Colts won the program’s third Softball State Championship and first since 2013 when they knocked off South Granville in two games. The Colts appeared in the State Tournament Series for the fifth time in the program’s history and second time in the Best-of-Three Series era.
2A Softball Championship Game 2: Eastern Randolph shuts out West Stanly 3-0 to force Game 3
GREENSBORO, NC – In a must-win situation, Eastern Randolph got a gem of a performance from Savannah Beaver in the pitching circle as she shut out West Stanly 3-0 to force a decisive Game 3 in the 2A Softball State Championship Series. Beaver twirled a two-hit shutout, striking out seven while issuing just one walk.
The Wildcats made the most of their five hits on the night, pushing across single runs in the first, third and fifth innings. Beaver helped her own cause in the bottom of the first inning, picking up an RBI infield single that drove in Courtnee Carter with two outs to put Eastern Randolph into the lead 1-0.
In the bottom of the third, the Wildcats added onto their lead after Carter led off the inning with a double to left, moving to third on a groundout. Then Brooklyn Rush put down a bunt, as Carter sprinted home just ahead of the tag to put Eastern Randolph up 2-0. The Wildcats added an insurance run in the fifth, opening the inning with a pair of singles by Aniyah King and then Rush before Beaver sacrificed them into scoring position. Then Kelsey Craven’s sacrifice fly to right plated King from third to give the Wildcats a 3-0 advantage.
Game 3 in the series is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, June 2, at 4:00 p.m. at UNCG Softball Stadium in Greensboro. It will follow the 3A Championship Series Game 3 between Central Cabarrus and Eastern Alamance which is scheduled to begin at 1:00. All games of the 2019 NCHSAA Softball State Championship Series can be viewed live through the NFHS Network (www.NFHSNetwork.com).
2A Softball Championship: West Stanly nips Eastern Randolph 1-0 in extra innings to take Game 1
GREENSBORO, NC – West Stanly plated the game’s only run in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the ninth inning to slip by Eastern Randolph 1-0 in extra innings and claim the Game 1 victory in a best-of-three series for the 2ASoftball State Championship. Shelby Barbee slashed a single through the left side to bring home Morgan Edwards with one out in the ninth to earn the victory.
The opening game of the series was largely a pitcher’s duel between Eastern Randolph’s Savannah Beaver and West Stanly’s Jordan Hatch. Beaver twirled eight scoreless innings while only allowing three hits during that span. However, she gave up a leadoff double to Edwards in the bottom of the ninth, before surrendering the walk-off single to Barbee for the win. Beaver finished the game with one earned run allowed, five hits and six strikeouts. She did not allow a walk.
Hatch was equally spectacular for West Stanly, matching Beaver pitch for pitch, in a nine-inning, six hit shutout effort. Hatch walked a single batter while striking out three in on the afternoon. Brooklyn Rush was the only Eastern Randolph batter to reach base twice against Hatch, as she had a pair of hits in a 2 for 4 effort.
Eastern Randolph will look to extend the series to a decisive Game 3 when these two teams take the field again for Game 2, scheduled for 8:00 p.m. this evening at UNCG Softball Stadium. West Stanly would close out the best-of-three series with a victory in Game 2. All games of the 2019 NCHSAA Softball State Championships are streaming live through the NFHS Network (www.NFHSNetwork.com).
3A Softball Championship Game 3: Eastern Alamance holds off Central Cabarrus 4-2 to win first State Championship
GREENSBORO, NC – Eastern Alamance held off Central Cabarrus 4-2 in extra innings to win Game 3 of the 3A State Championship Series the school’s first Softball State Championship.
Morgan Lawson was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and a run scored to power the Eagles offense in the game. Her two RBI’s came in the top of the eighth inning with the score tied at two, blasting a homer to right to put the Eagles in front 4-2. Her outstanding game four performance put her at 5 for 10 in the series with 3 RBI’s and merited her selection as the series’ Most Valuable Player.
Eastern Alamance scratched across single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Haley Batista came across the plate in the fourth on a sacrifice play that included a Viking error, allowing the first run of the game. Then in the fifth, another Central Cabarrus error cost the Vikings a run as Kyra Jones touched home following the error to make it 2-0.
Central Cabarrus did not go down quietly though, as the Vikings responded with a run in the fifth on Christina Brendle’s homer to center field, trimming the Eagles’ lead to 2-1. Then, trailing by one in the last of the seventh, Brendle led off the inning with a triple before Baily Ruble sacrificed her home to tie the game at two.
Kenna Raye Dark allowed just three hits in a complete game effort in the circle for Eastern Alamance. It was her third complete game of the series and second win. The two runs allowed were both earned, but she struck out seven while issuing just two walks.
Central Cabarrus finished the season 27-6. The Vikings reached the State Championship Game for the first time since 2005 and the first time in the Best-of-Three series era.
Eastern Alamance wrapped up the year with a 25-3 record. The Eagles appeared in their first ever Softball State Championship Series after winning the school’s first Eastern Regional Championship in Softball. The Eagles claimed the school’s first Softball State Championship.
3A Softball Championship Game 2: Central Cabarrus forces Game 3 with a 5-1 victory over Eastern Alamance in Game 2
GREENSBORO, NC – Central Cabarrus jumped ahead early with two runs in the top of the first in a must-win game to run past Eastern Alamance 5-1 and force Game 3 in the 3A Softball State Championship Series. Riley Tucker and Destiny Thornton were both 3 for 4 at the plate with an RBI each to help push Central Cabarrus to the victory.
Tucker started the game in the circle for Central Cabarrus, but was relieved by Brantleigh Parrott after just 2.1 innings of work. Tucker only allowed the single run, it was earned, but gave up seven hits in the game. Parrott came in and was nearly flawless for 4.2 innings in relief. Parrott only allowed three hits, while striking out four without a walk.
The Vikings grabbed the first two runs of the game in the top of the first, wasting no time getting on the board. Tucker had a one out single to drive in Lacie Coubal who reached when she was hit by a pitch to lead off the game. Then Thornton singled through the middle to plate Tucker from second and take a 2-0 lead.
Eastern Alamance responded in the bottom half of the inning as opening game star, Kenna Raye Dark, doubled to right to open the frame. Eventually, after a pair of singles, Madelyn Lawson crossed the plate to cut the Viking lead to 2-1.
Central Cabarrus added a pair of runs on a single error in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 4-1. Then in the top of the sixth, the Vikings plated another run as Coubal singled up the middle to bring Parrott around to score after her two-out double.
The 3A Softball State Championship Series will continue tomorrow, Sunday, June 2 at 1:00 p.m. at UNCG Softball Stadium in Greensboro.
3A Softball Championship Game 1: Eastern Alamance shuts out Central Cabarrus 3-0 to take Game 1
GREENSBORO, NC – The Eagles of Eastern Alamance powered their way to a 1-0 series lead in the 3A Softball State Championship Series picking up a 3-0 win over Central Cabarrus. Eastern Alamance cruised behind Kenna Raye Dark’s two-hit, complete game shutout that saw her strike out 10 Viking batters while only allowing one walk.
Eastern Alamance took the lead in the top of the fourth inning as Makiya Graves slapped a one-out double to center field. She came around to score, putting the Eagles up 1-0 as Haleigh Palmer slashed a line drive single to center. The Eagles added two more in the fifth as Madelyn Lawson singled to left bringing around Reagan Hartley to go up 2-0 with one out. Then Haley Batista doubled to left pushing Lawson across to go up 3-0.
Dark was phenomenal for the Eagles, throwing just 87 pitches in her complete game, 64 of them for strikes. She allowed just two hits and struck out 10 while walking just one on her way to a win. Brantleigh Parrott was the losing pitcher for Central Cabarrus. Parrott pitched well, allowing just three runs on six hits while she struck out nine.
Eastern Alamance and Central Cabarrus will continue their series with Game 2 of the 3A State Championship at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon at UNC Greensboro Softball Stadium. Eastern Alamance can close out the best-of-three series with a win while Central Cabarrus looks to force a decisive third game. All games of the 2019 NCHSAA Softball State Championships can be viewed live via an internet video stream on the NFHS Network (www.NFHSNetwork.com).
4A Softball Championship Game 3 – South Caldwell wins first title with 7-5 extra inning win over Hoggard
RALEIGH, NC – South Caldwell scrapped and clawed their way into a Game 3 with a come-from-behind victory in the second game of the series. In Game 3, the Spartans, once again, found themselves trailing Hoggard, but battled back to even the game and force extra innings for the second time in the series. South Caldwell prevailed, 7-5 in eight innings, Hanson drove a one-out single to center field plating two runs to win the school’s first Softball State Championship.
Regan Weisner was selected as the series’ Most Valuable Player, providing South Caldwell with three RBI’s on 2 for 4 from the plate in the third and final game of the series. Weisner also added two hits and two RBI’s in the first game of the series, helping to force the series opener to extra innings.
Hoggard jumped out to an early lead once again, snatching a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second with a homer to center by Allie Royal. South Caldwell responded in the third with a two-run double by Weisner with two outs in the inning to surge in front 2-1. The Spartans tacked on one more in the fourth with Hall drawing a bases loaded walk in with two outs to put South Caldwell up 3-1.
The Vikings hung up a four-spot in the bottom of the fourth, piecing together a rally that saw the first four batters reach base. Jesse Mathis opened the frame with a double to left, the Skyler Walker was hit by a pitch before Isabella Colbert singled to right to load the bases. Then Royal drew a walk to push the first run of the inning across and draw the Vikings within one at 3-2. After an infield fly, Kira Soodek drew a walk to push another run across and tie the game before Icess Tresvik slapped a single to right that plated two runs and put the Vikings in front 5-3.
South Caldwell got a run back in the fifth when Katie Wright crossed the plate on a Viking error. Then Weisner picked up her third RBI of the game blasting a triple to right that scored Jenna Pittman and tied the game at five.
Hoggard completed the year with a record of 20-9. The Vikings reached the State Championship Tournament for the second time in school history and first time since 2001 in the Double-Elimination era.
South Caldwell finished the season 25-5. They won the Western Regional Championship for the second time in program history and the second straight year. The Spartans claimed the school’s first Softball State Championship.
4A Softball Championship Game 2 – South Caldwell pushes series to Game 3 with 3-2 win over Hoggard
RALEIGH, NC – South Caldwell managed a come-from-behind win in Game 2 to force a decisive Game 3 tomorrow, thanks to a walk-off single by Addison Blair in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Spartans a 3-2 lead.
South Caldwell opened the scoring with a single tally in the third when Jasmine Hall homered to left with one out in the fourth to put them up 1-0. Hoggard responded immediately in the top of the fourth with Isabella Colbert leading the inning off with an infield single, moving to second on a two-out single by Kira Soodek. Then Icess Tresvik doubled to left to plate both runners and put the Vikings in front 2-1.
The Spartans got even in the bottom of the fourth when Kenley Jackson was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. She was sacrificed to second and then scored on an error by the center fielder which tied the game at two.
The two teams held each other scoreless until the bottom of the seventh when Ciara Hanson singled to right to open the frame for South Caldwell. Katie Wright successfully sacrificed her to second, and she took third on a wild pitch, setting the table for Blair’s walk-off single.
The win by South Caldwell forces a third and final game in the 4A Softball State Championship series. The two teams are slated to meet at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, June 2 at Dail Softball Stadium on the campus of NC State University to decide the series.
4A Softball Championship Game 1: Hoggard walks off with 3-2 Game 1 win over South Caldwell in extra innings
RALEIGH, NC – Jaclyn Jordan reached on a bases loaded error with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, pushing Skyler Walker across the plate to give Hoggard a 3-2 extra innings victory over South Caldwell in the first game of the 4A Softball State Championship series.
After a leadoff double by Hall to open the game, South Caldwell jumped out to an early lead as Regan Weisner singled her home to put the Spartans up 1-0. Hoggard’s Anna Taylor helped the Vikings with some timely hitting, singling to right in the bottom of the second to drive home two with two down, giving Hoggard a 2-1 lead. South Caldwell knotted the score at two in the top of the seventh as Weisner blasted a homer to left for her second RBI of the game.
The Spartans held the Vikings off the board in the bottom half of the inning, sending the game to extra innings. In the extra frames, South Caldwell managed to load the bases with nobody out, but Mathis got a strikeout, infield fly and weak ground ball to wriggle out of the jam. Hoggard got a one out double by Walker, followed by a pair of walks to set up the winning run that scored on an error by the Spartans’ third baseman.
Jesse Mathis was the winning pitcher for the Vikings, throwing eight innings while allowing two runs, both earned, with nine hits while striking out 10 with just three walks. Anna King was tagged with the tough-luck loss for South Caldwell, pitching 7.1 innings while allowing three runs, none earned. She allowed just five hits and struck out six, while walking seven. King was removed from the game with the bases loaded in the eighth in favor of Jenna Pittman, who only threw 11 pitches before the game-ending error.
South Caldwell and Hoggard will continue their series with Game 2 of the Best-of-Three State Championship Series this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. at Dail Softball Stadium at NC State University. Hoggard can close out the series with a win, while South Caldwell looks to force a third and decisive game. The game will stream live on the NFHS Network (www.NFHSNetwork.com).
