NCHSAA playoffs: East semifinal-round capsules

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 22, 2015 1:46 PM

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Wilson Fike (17-7) at C.B. Aycock (20-4)

The Golden Falcons are the highest-seeded team remaining in the eastern half of the 3-A bracket after their 3-2 upset of 2014 state champ Topsail on Wednesday evening. Aycock could be without starting shortstop Hank Smitherman, who endured a neck injury during a collision at first base in the top of the fifth inning. Fike defeated the Golden Falcons in the second annual Golden Leaf Invitational in early April. It's the first playoff meeting between the two schools since 2009 when the Golden Demons pulled off an opening-round, 6-0 upset on Aycock's home diamond. First pitch is 7 p.m. at Charles Davis Field.

Spring Creek (16-6) at Whiteville (23-4)

The Gators and Wolfpack have combined to record five shutouts and allow just one run in 36 innings during the postseason. After seven consecutive exits in third-round play, Spring Creek -- according to community residents -- is making its first-ever fourth-round appearance. Whiteville is the reigning 1-A state champion.

North Duplin (12-8) at West Columbus (16-12)

Two of the lowest-seeded -- and surprising -- 1-A teams square off in Cerro Gordo near the North Carolina-South Carolina border. The 23rd-seeded Rebels got a complete-game, 145-pitch performance from left-handed ace Trey Pate against Rosewood on Wednesday evening. West Columbus is seeded 22nd.

C.B. Aycock (14-8) at Topsail (19-6)

The Golden Falcons are seeking their third appearance in the eastern 3-A regional championship series since 2012. Aycock squeezed out a one-run triumph over nemesis South Johnston to advance, while the Pirates turned back Triton, 5-3. Topsail is 10-1 at home this season with the only loss coming against West Brunswick, an 8-4 decision in extra innings.

North Duplin (15-3-1) at Perquimans (18-2)

The Rebels look to ambush the Pirates as they pay a visit to Jim "Catfish" Hunter territory along the Pasquotank River. Right-hander Rylee Pate has logged 41 strikeouts inside the circle and the Rebels have outscored the opposition 23-1. North Duplin hasn't advanced this far in the postseason since it faced Murphy in the Class 1-A state slow-pitch championship series in 1989. Perquimans won a state title in 2000. Since 2011, they've been eliminated from the playoffs on three occasions by two Carolina Conference teams -- Princeton in 2011, and Rosewood in 2012 and 2014.