3A SOFTBALL: Golden Falcons force "winner-take-all" game

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on May 26, 2016 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

HAMPSTEAD -- Have game, will travel.

Charles B. Aycock defined that bold bit of self conviction yesterday evening during a 5-2, catch-me-if-you-can triumph over Topsail during game two of their best-of-three N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A eastern regional championship series.

The teams play a "winner-take-all" game today in Pikeville.

First pitch is 6 p.m.

The performance, a mixture of small-ball bravado and inside-the-circle mastery, was nothing short of brilliant.

Connor Vinson once more threw down the gauntlet for Aycock in the first, reaching on a bunt and promptly swiping second base. Following a passed ball from Topsail anchor Victoria Elder, the junior scored from third on a sacrifice fly to make the score 1-0.

For the Golden Falcons, whose manic, peek-a-boo pace flirted with disaster on multiple occasions, the tone-setting run was a welcome sight.

"We scored some runs off (their) mistakes tonight," noted skipper Lavon Matthews. "And it put pressure on them."

The early show of support also bolstered starting pitcher Taylor Waddell, who figured in total command from the outset. Working quickly and decisively against a raucous crowd, the junior fanned five of the first 12 batters she faced.

Aycock (28-2 overall) shadow-boxed with Topsail until the fifth, when Cara Lenzi and Mookie Powell each tendered an RBI. Lenzi's plate work, a darting blast to left-center field, plated Cassandra Lassiter.

When Powell's hustle on a dribbler beat a Topsail throw to first base, Lenzi crossed to pad the Aycock advantage.

Golden Falcons 3, Pirates 0.

And until the seventh, when Topsail gifted CBA a pair of insurance runs with consecutive fielding errors, the effort went according to Matthews' relentless script. The black-and-gold gaffes increased Aycock's working margin to five, and essentially salted the outcome -- sort of.

The Pirates (26-4), who staged an unthinkable three-run rally Tuesday, threatened once more when Aycock committed back-to-back infield errors of its own. The two-out surge was stifled, however, as Waddell coaxed a routine grounder out of the Pirates for an affair-ending putout by shortstop Madison Walton.

The complete-game, three-hit effort by Waddell was redemption for the righty, whose appearance versus Lee County a week ago was shaky.

"I knew as long as I kept throwing strikes, our infield would make plays," the junior said.

The same could be said for Topsail's Elder, whose high-intensity workload has perhaps begun to take its toll. Through yesterday, the talented junior -- whose status for today is unknown-- has faced a staggering 609 batters in 150 innings this season.

It's a number that muddies the already complex tapestry for Topsail lead man James Abston.

"We'll see how Vic feels tomorrow," the coach said, "and take it from there. We've got a plan."

So too will Matthews and Aycock, who are seeking their second 3-A state finals appearance in the past three seasons.