1A SOFTBALL: Princeton seniors have one goal -- win state championship

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on June 3, 2016 1:48 PM

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PRINCETON -- On its face, the Princeton softball narrative is substantial.

Its arc has played well over the past four seasons -- extremely well -- having stockpiled wins, a video-game statistical ledger and four Carolina 1-A league titles as the substance of proof.

But therein lies the problem, some say.

Critics of the Bulldogs' regular-season prowess will explain that it simply does not a champion make. Moreover, they note how this particular group of seniors -- Hailey Wood, Taylor Carroll and Kelsey Peedin -- could have accomplished so much more. Hence, a state title.

Not only is that assertion foolish, it's patently absurd.

Team sports are accentuated by accomplished performers, not defined by them in conclusive summary. It's the reason one -- or three, in this case -- doesn't often have a chance to beat nine.

So not fully recognizing -- in any manner of perspective -- what the trio has achieved in their prep career is short-sighted. For those who believe the truth begins and ends with raw data, the slight is downright dismissive.

Since 2012, the graduates-to-be have led Princeton to an overall record of 77-15. Along the way, they filled Bulldog scorebooks with a combined 311 hits, 233 RBI and 306 runs scored -- marks which translate to 36% of the program's total volume in those categories.

They also won 44 of 46 conference matchups.

Prosperous enough? Check.

And perhaps even more interesting, apart from their gaudy numbers, winning ways and shiny trophies, is the group's diversity.

Wood is Princeton's unquestioned leader, a classically sketched type A protagonist. She sings Beyonce in the circle at practice -- loudly, for that matter -- and lives in the splash of a feisty, blue-and-gold color wheel.

If you don't find her vocal to be charming, fine -- she's probably got advice for you on how that should be handled. A reserved soul she is not.

The righty is, however, capable of whistling a softball like nobody's business.

A multiple-pitch ensemble, each whip-like and arresting, has contributed to a 0.76 earned run average (ERA) -- a shake-your-head number that prompts a double-take upon discovery. Most impressive, however, is that the mark represents an achievement constructed over four years -- not one veiled by an early-spring, two-game sample size versus junior varsity-grade competition.

As the kids say, it's real.

But for Wood, who inked with Appalachian State University in March of this year, flashy personal statistics mean very little.

This season, as they've all been, is about relationships. Family.

"I watched my sister -- she played on this field," Wood said of Princeton, "and I was out here every game... most of the time I would come to practice. I was always ready to get out here and play my games."

Then there's the shortstop, Carroll. A polar opposite to Wood, she's reserved and leads with her bat, which speaks fluent aluminum pop and projects to a .451 average.

And while there is a place in the game for rah-rah types and in-your-face personas, it's not how Carroll best complements her team.

Maintaining a studious sense of calm when the walls of high-stakes competition begin to crumble, however -- that is the Pitt Community College signee's particular strength.

Cue East Columbus High School.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom half of the seventh inning on May 14 -- and with the season very much in jeopardy -- Carroll extended a Bulldog rally by piercing an RBI double to center field, tying the ball game.

Moments later, she crossed as the winning run on a fielder's choice. In a flash, the Bulldogs went from vanquished to victorious -- due in large part to Carroll's calm under pressure.

Lastly, there is Peedin.

Somewhat an amalgamation of her peers, the catcher is equal parts taskmaster and fun-loving free spirit. What cannot be debated, however, is her prolific four-year stay behind home plate.

The lefty -- yes, lefty -- has appeared in 90 games over her prep career, snaring each of Wood's 30 victories. Beyond that, the North Carolina A&T commit has registered 450 putouts in 460 chances -- an eye-popping .978 conversion rate.

But there' s more.

She also plays with an in-the-moment, be-here-now edge -- an approach developed in the aftermath of last November's excruciating, 3-1 setback in the N. C. High School Athletic Association 1-A volleyball final against Alleghany.

"That's where it comes from," Peedin said of the philosophy, "we were physically there (for the match), but mentally... we were on Mars."

Alas, if any one of the Bulldog nine needs to be shaken out of a funk and made present this weekend, No.12 is on the ready.

The celebrated trio plays its era to a close this weekend in a state finals matchup with western regional champion North Stanly. And while championship hardware would be a fitting end to their story, it's hardly necessary to qualify the group's contribution to Princeton athletics.

Perhaps it's a tale best viewed from Wood's unique perspective.

"We've played together since we were four," she said, "since T-ball. So to (have a chance) to hopefully end with a state championship... that's pretty great."