Wednesday preps

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on May 20, 2009 1:47 PM

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KENLY -- Oh so close.

Spring Creek (12-12) led 1-0 with one out in the bottom of the seventh before North Johnston mounted a rally on Tuesday night. The Panthers pushed across a pair of runs for a 2-1 victory in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A baseball playoffs.

North Johnston started its rally with an infield single and then tied the game with an RBI base-hit. The Panthers later executed a suicide squeeze with a one out and runner on third base and a 2-2 count to score the winning run.

Duane Gurganus and Paul Hayes each had two hits for the Gators. Corey Howell took the loss on the mound allowing two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in 61/3 innings of work.

North Johnston entertains Ayden-Grifton in a third-round game Friday.

Softball

PHS victorious

PRINCETON -- Princeton turned back Hobbton 8-0 in the first round of the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs on Tuesday night.

After scoring runs in the first and second inning, the Bulldogs erupted for four runs in the home half of the fourth to take a 6-0 lead.

Tylan George (home run, two RBI) and Amber Wood both provided two hits for Princeton. Traci Bridgers (two RBI), Ashley Braswell, Danielle Mitchell (RBI), Hannah Wood (RBI) and Devon Murphy (RBI) each added a hit.

Bridgers picked up the win, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out seven in the complete-game shutout.

The Bulldogs (13-6), the 2009 Carolina Conference co-champions, visit Pamlico County on Friday.

Hawks advance

LaGRANGE -- Amber Best led the way with three hits and two North Lenoir hurlers combined for 10 strikeouts in a 4-2 victory over McMichael in the second round of the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs on Tuesday night.

Aaryn Deal earned the win allowing two hits while recording five strikeouts and two walks in five innings of work. Kayla Letchworth tossed two innings of relief allowing one hit to go with five strikeouts.

Amber Best collected three hits and two RBI for North Lenoir. Kayla Letchworth, Courtney Barrow and Kristen Davenport each added two hits.

The Hawks (18-7 overall) continue second-round play Friday at Pittsboro Northwood, which eliminated North Pitt 6-0.

Saints fall

RED OAK -- Southern Wayne had its season come to a close with a 4-1 loss in the first round of the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs on Tuesday night.

Lauren Darden took the loss on the mound for the Saints, allowing four earned runs with six strikeouts and three walks. Darden finished her career with 896 strikeouts.

Christina Williams led Southern Wayne (12-14 overall) with two hits and Jordan Coor, Tara Hirsch and Darden each collected one hit.

Rams survive

BUNN -- Liz Webb scattered three hits and struck out 11 in a complete-game effort to lead Greene Central to a 3-1 victory at Bunn in a first-round, NCHSAA 2-A playoff game Tuesday night.

Webb allowed one run and didn't issue a walk.

Casey O'Brient and Skyler Whitfield each contributed two hits.

Greene Central is tentatively scheduled to visit West Stokes on Friday.

Eagles eliminated

CLINTON -- Super Six Conference member Union defeated Rosewood 5-0 in their first-round, NCHSAA1-A playoff game Tuesday.

Details on the game were not available at press time.

Rosewood, which finished second in Carolina 1-A Conference play this season, concluded the year 13-6 overall.