Today North Carolina High School Softball, North Buncombe vs. Alexander CentralBlack Hawks @ CougarsThe Alexande. Carrigan scattered four singles across her complete game shutout, leaving the bases loaded in the fifth to get out of the only real threat of the day. That's the way it is sometimes.". Today North Carolina High School Softball, North Buncombe vs. A.C. ReynoldsBlack Hawks @ RocketsThe A.C. Reynold. We're ready to jump on them.". Don't miss any of his coverage by subscribing athttps://subscribe.app.com. Unfortunately, North Buncombe's recent struggles at the plate continued. "Growing up, I went to a lot of their camps. "We weren't going home without a win. All rights reserved. A one-out single from Alexander Central pitcher Faith Carrigan was the first hit Pickens allowed, and a. or "Black Hawks! Karlyn Pickens was the losing pitcher despite striking out 17 and allowing only three hits and one walk. It was crazy.". Conversely, Alexander Central won its last state championship in 2018, and the Cougars have won five titles since 2009. This group of kids are all amazing, they are great kids just like they are great ballplayers. "You almost feel like she was made for this," Black Hawks coach Tiffani Ferguson said. turning a potential infield single into a walk-off trip around the bases. 3 North Buncombe (21-1) vs. No. Following two quick outs, Julianna Mendoza singled, Lola Whitson walked and Shayna Higgins singled to load the bases. Just waiting on who makes an error. The 2020 campaign was supposed to be North Buncombe's, featuring a big senior class loaded with varsity experience. Game 1 will be Friday night at 7 p.m., followed by Game 2 and the if-necessary Game 3 on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.. Below is a complete list of Citizen Times coverage of North Buncombe softball from the 2021 and 2022 seasons. 5 North Lincoln (19-5), No. The 6-foot junior finished with 17 strikeouts in her six innings of work, but after surrendering three runs in the fourth, it would be up to the Black Hawks bats to keep the season alive. The quality of competition this time of the yearmeans her team's aim is topressure opponents into mistakes. Were very young, we start five freshmen, she continued. 2023 www.citizen-times.com. Alan Spiwak pitched 3 2/3 innings and gave up two hits and no earned runs for South Iredell. Find Your League < > 62 years as a barber in Hickory: Clemons shares advice he received, love of pintos and cabbage, Hickory man sentenced to 50 years on child pornography charges, Granite Falls driver headed to NHRA Gatornationals, Catawba County Sheriff's Office seeks suspect in robbery of Newton convenience store, Startown Elementary, Maiden Middle win state archery titles, Letter: Store closing because of its 'woke' views, H.S. "You want to branch out and play people that are as competitive as you are. In a new format and with a different attitude than last season, North Buncombe moved to within a game of the. Standings will be put out weekly with each team's win-loss record. "Us being the tough little team that we are, being young, we tried to do what we could with two outs. Unfortunately, North Buncombe's recent struggles at the plate continued. SHELBY Allit took for North Buncombe softball to reach a second consecutive 3A regional final was a lifetime high in innings, pitches and strikeouts from the defending Gatorade State Player of the Year. Past World Series Winners. "You have to be completely set up at your spot, because if you're not, moving to that [pitch] can be a little tricky.". 3 Robbinsville (20-2) vs. No. The streak would have reached 15 if not for a wild pitch allowing a strikeout victim to reach base. The 6-foot junior finished with 17 strikeouts in her six innings of work, but after surrendering three runs in the fourth, it would be up to the Black Hawks bats to keep the season alive. It certainly shook up Mendoza, who nonetheless had to get right back tocorralling the elite velocity and stuff of ace Karlyn Pickens during the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3A Regional Final. Southern Alamance has won seven state championships all-time, although its last title win came 17 years ago. She walked six and struck out 11. "We needed to lay off the high pitch, and when she came into the zone, we needed to attack it.". Carrigan blooped a single over shortstop on the first pitch of her at-bat and was replaced by courtesy runner Payton Campbell. The North Buncombe softball team celebrates after a playoff win against North Lincoln on May 12, 2022. For the most part, though, the Black Hawks and their opponents know what to expect from the 2021 Gatorade State Player of the Year: Lots of strikeouts, not more than a run or two allowed. Faith Carrigan got the shutout victory in the pitchers circle. ", "This entire season, we've talked about playing with intensity and playing with aggression," TiffaniFerguson said. All of it reinforced her long-held belief that she should be a teacher. Im pumped, said Carrigan. They play next when they travel to Murphy for a non-league battle on Tuesday, March 8. The Blackhawks go into the non-league battle with a 3-0 record. I think Faith held her own tonight, said Hamby. MOORESVILLEOne win closer to 30. Game 2 is at 10 a.m. Saturday. Tuesday's NCHSAA playoff schedule (Third round). Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. WEAVERVILLE Itturns out, Karlyn Pickens can still surprise herself. "We definitely learned offense needs to be worked on," Ferguson said. HERE THEY GO AGAIN: Alexander Central softball headed to another state title series after 3-0 victory over North Buncombe. North Buncombe blinked first in a Game 1 pitcher's duel between Pickens and Kenna Raye Dark that featured four hits and 26 strikeouts combined, putting the Eagles in the driver's seat in the best . Please subscribe to keep reading. West Iredell opened the season Monday with a 2-1, rain-shortened victory over Bunker Hill. North Buncombe softball's mindset designed to support Karlyn Pickens. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m., while Game 2 will be played at 10 a.m. on Saturday with Game 3 (if necessary) slated for 4 p.m. Josh McKinney is the sports editor for the Hickory Daily Record. West Zone. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Following Tuesdays 3-0 win over North Buncombe at Central Park, Alexander Central will get another crack at the Patriots. "They capitalized on some of the [wild pitches and] passed balls, and we didn't have that opportunity," Ferguson said. Alexander softball on the path to an 11th state title? North Buncombe defeated Central Davidson 2-0 in the playoffs May 24, 2022. Given the circumstances, Fergusonhoped her team would keep its accomplishments in perspective. West Iredell opened the season Monday with a 2-1, rain-shortened victory over Bunker Hill. For the first time in program history, North Buncombe softball has advanced to the state championship series. R-S Central High School. TAYLORSVILLEAlexander Central scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning Tuesday and defeated North Buncombe 3-0 in the 3A West region final. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, 18-wheeler overturns on rainy morning blocking US 64 in Alexander County, Destroy a Bradford pear tree and get a free replacement, Two seriously injured in crash on Tate Boulevard; helicopter flies one victim to hospital, 'On Patrol: Live' -- Brookford Police to be featured on TV show, Concerned parent brings poster of explicit quotes to school board meeting, He's 24 and the new police chief in Town of Brookford; Armstrong: We have the opportunity to really change someone's life, Catawba County Hornets blank Albion 36-0 to win national championship, Newton man faces attempted murder charge in connection with attack at Catawba Valley Medical Center, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus. PLAYERS TO WATCH:23 key area athletes this postseason. North Buncombes Peyton Whitson singled to lead off the sixth, but Carrigan induced a force out on the next pitch before striking out Pickens and Kiersten Gosnell to end the threat. "They're just completely bought in.". Mendoza would eventually get up and remained in the game, but Black Hawks coach Tiffani Ferguson felt the scary scene rattled her team. The Black Hawks now sport a 1-1 record. 4 Swain County (15-3) vs. No. From staff reports May 12, 2021 May 12, 2021 Updated Jun . "But they had a big season. That's all it takes at this point," Black Hawkscoach Tiffani Ferguson said. TAYLORSVILLE The hollow thud of a foul tip against North Buncombe catcher Julianna Mendoza's shoulder was followed by silence, broken up only by some soft weeps through her catcher's mask as she lay on the Alexander Central dirt Tuesday. MOORESVILLEOne win closer to 30. "We tried to be super aggressive.". A one-out single from Alexander Central pitcher Faith Carrigan was the first hit Pickens allowed, and a hit-by-pitchquickly put another runner on. Pickens struck out three more Cougars in their next at-bat, although one reached on a dropped third strike. game and will host North Buncombe (15-0) for a . PICKENS:Could the multi-sport standout become WNC"s best athlete ever? "If you do get a lead, that's pressure," Ferguson said. In the fourth, however, North Buncombe (15-1, 12-0) wasn't able to escape trouble. Just didn't go our way.". They want it. In the top of the fourth of Thursday's second-round playoff game against North Lincoln, the North Buncombe softball ace stuck her glove out at a hard line drive. 6 Rockingham County (24-2), No. Check back for updates throughout the week. . She'll face off against UNC signee Kenna Raye Dark, who pitched the Eagles to the 2019 championship as a freshman and has a 0.46 ERA this year. Check back often during the tournament for scores, stories,photos andvideo from the 12year-old division games. Pickens, of course, is also a big part of the team's offense. Im so ready to go to states with them, Im so pumped.. The variables for North Buncombe come at the plate, where the offense hasn't always been firing on all cylinders this season. The Alexander Central (Taylorsville, NC) varsity softball team won Saturday's neutral non-conference game against North Buncombe (Weaverville, NC) by a score of 3-0. Box Score of Softball vs North Dakota State on 2/25/2023. They entered Tuesday nights 3A West Regional championship game with four straight wins by a combined score of 23-4, including three shutout victories. The Cougars (15-3) will face Southern Alamance in the best-of-3 state championship series at North Davidson High School. They have a hunger for it,"Tiffani Ferguson said. Chesney Stikeleather, Kirstyn Herman and Carrigan each recorded a hit for AC. ROUNDUP: Alexander Central advances to softball state championship series. It operates under the Rutherford County School District and serves students in grades 9-12. Could the multi-sport standout become WNC"s best athlete ever? The Alexander Central Cougars the host North Buncombe Black Hawks softball squad by a count of 3-0 in Saturday's non-league battle. Pickens struck out 13 and allowed an unusually high three hits Thursday, including a seventh-inning home run that was just the second long ball she's surrendered this year. Tuscola vs North Buncombe Softball | Sports | themountaineer.com Tuscola vs North Buncombe Softball Diana Gates Apr 23, 2021 0 1 of 14 Diana Gates Follow Diana Gates As featured on Tuscola softball rolls to third-straight win The Tuscola girls softball team continues its playoff run with road victories at North Hende Thank you for reading! TAYLORSVILLE Alexander Central scored in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat East Rowan 1-0 in the third round of the 3A state softball playoffs Saturday. GRANITE QUARRYEast Rowan scored one run in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead and held on for a 2-1 North Piedmont Conference victory Tuesday over South Iredell. Look for a full preview of this weekends 3A state championship series in Fridays edition of the Hickory Daily Record. You have permission to edit this article. And to avoid coming any closer to the 200-pitch mark, Tennessee signee Karlyn Pickens had toscore the game's only run, too. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. "It's our job on offense to come back in and score some runs. 15 Marvin Ridge (18-9), This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Buncombe softball's mindset designed to support Karlyn Pickens, James Crabtree-Hannigan, Asheville Citizen Times, Tuesday's NCHSAA playoff schedule (Third round). She went seven innings, holding the Mustangs to one hit. 4 Swain County (15-3) vs. No. The Black Hawks will play Eastern Alamance in a best-of-three series June 3-4 at UNC-Greensboro. King was returning to her car after eating at aMcDonald's with her daughter, sister and two nephews in Covington, Ga.,when a manintentionally ran them over in the parking lot, killing Avery. Alexander Central advances to region final. "We tried to be super aggressive.". "We were just running off pure adrenaline at that moment, and everybody wanted it so bad," Pickens said. Kirstyn Herman drove in one run. Ferguson felt the lack of nonconference play cost her squad in recent weeks, when opponents' level of pitching increased significantly. Herman and Childers are two of the five freshmen who start for the Cougars. Themiscues left the Black Hawks on the wrong side oftwo ultra-close games in a state championship sweep, taking a 3-2 lossSaturday to end the best season in program history and the career of one of the best athletes in school history. There was a problem saving your notification. Please subscribe to keep reading. But this team, I feel like were a family, were together, we love each other and we want to play ball. They were a little bit more prepared for the pitching than we had the opportunity to be.". The smile that appeared on. There may not be abetter state championshippitching matchup anywherein the country than this one. Seeded fourth, the Patriots (15-3) defeated third-seeded Grays Creek 7-2 on Tuesday to advance to the state title game. ROUNDUP: East Burke girls end Newton-Conovers playoff run, Area capsules for 3rd round of state basketball playoffs, Golden Eagles soar past Hickory 69-62 in Round 3, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders, Lionel Messi named men's Player of the Year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards, LeBron James is facing weeks on the sidelines after foot injury, "I am scared of needlesr" Lillard on getting a drug test after his 71-point game. "Knowing I've struggled with her before and being able to adjust and succeed in that way," Holley said. She led offThursday with a doubleand hit a solo home run later in the game, doing her part to make sure she had run support. Find Tickets. World Series Information. "Going into it, we said in playoffs, it's really anybody's game. The Black Hawks entered last year's regional final against Alexander Central 15-0, with the few early-round playoff . Ex-DCS worker agrees to $6M payout to family she separated but wants state to pay, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Teammate Tyler Hughesman pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed one hit and one earned run. Saturday's area basketball playoff scores (3rd round), Thursday's area basketball playoff scores (2nd round), Following a pair of tight wins over Newton-Conover during the regular season, the East Burke girls basketball team suffered a double-digit los, Saturdays Sweet 16 round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's state playoffs in this area will have a little something , The boys basketball team from Hickory High chased and chased Ben L. Smith throughout the third round of the North Carolina High School Athleti. This year's team had three freshmen and a sophomore in the starting lineup, and Pickens was in her first year handling the pressure of being the team's clear-cutleader. 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