Pam Pack opens door for new 3A softball state champion

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 15, 2013 1:47 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock gave a good team too many chances to score Tuesday evening.

Washington benefited from nine walks and three infield errors during a 9-1, second-round victory over the Golden Falcons in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A softball playoffs.

The Pam Pack (19-4 overall) opened the door for a new state champion to be crowned at Walnut Creek in June.

"Washington had people on base and hit the ball, and we flat out didn't hit the ball," Aycock head coach Laura Romo said. "Take nothing away from them."

Haley Wright led the Pam Pack offense with two hits, including a solo home run in the sixth inning. Washington managed just six hits in the seven-inning affair, but had 17 total base runners compared to nine for C.B. Aycock.

Golden Falcons right-hander Meredith Burroughs, who issued an uncharacteristic nine walks, wiggled out of trouble in the first two innings. The Pam Pack stranded two of three runners at third base during that stretch.

Washington didn't waste its third-inning chances.

Adriana Tyson and Wright each connected on a two-strike RBI single. Chrissy McKissick plated the Pam Pack's third run on a sacrifice fly after an infield error extended the inning.

The Pam Pack collected single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, and pushed three runs across in the fifth. Aycock allowed six unearned runs on the night.

Burroughs threw 146 pitches in a complete-game effort.

The Golden Falcons (14-10) avoided the shutout in the fifth inning. Keeley Fulghum drew a lead-off walk, advanced to second on a passed ball and moved into scoring position on Taylor Bradshaw's second hit of the game.

Aycock attempted a double steal, which scored Fulghum. Bradshaw (3-for-3) was thrown out at second base.

It was the final game for Bradshaw and fellow seniors Reagan Herndon (1-for-3), Breanna Brown, Hattie Beach, Lindsey Sutton and Jenna Van Horn.

"There's nothing more motivating than to taste success and fail to achieve a goal you desire to achieve," Romo said. "The nice thing is, they have an opportunity to come back and work on it ... a motivating factor that is going to do a lot.

"They have a few months to chew on it."

Washington beat Aycock for just the second time in 10 meetings.