HobbsDailyReport.com
TAYLORSVILLE — Alexander Central High will win no less than a regular-season girls’ softball title in the North Piedmont 3A-4A after beating Statesville 17-0 and 16-0 on Wednesday in three-inning games.
The Cougars improved to 22-1 overall and 12-1 in the conference by sweeping the doubleheader. They went into the day a half-game in front of Lake Norman (10-2) and Mooresville (10-2), who were to battle on Wednesday at Lake Norman.
The Cougars have won 22 of their 23 games and lead the league with a 12-1 record.
The NPC 3A-4A plays a 14-game schedule.
In the opening game, the Cougars scored 11 runs in the first inning and six in the second.
Julie Gast led a 15-hit attack with three, Chesney Millsaps had two hits and four RBIs, Brittney Krider had two hits and drove in two runs and Alexis Walker and Jennifer Tipton each had two hits and two RBIs.
Statesville, 0-13 in the league, did not get a hit in the first game and made four errors.
Millsaps (8-1) was the winning pitcher. She walked two and struck out three in three innings.
In the second game, the Cougars scored 10 runs in the first inning and six in the second inning.
Winning pitcher Kendra Mayes (14-0) did not give up a hit, walking one and striking out five.
The Cougars had 13 hits, led by Caroline Maltba going 3-for-3 with three RBIs, Millsaps driving in three runs and collecting two hits and Ashley Seagle delivering two RBIs.
Alexander Central is scheduled to complete its NPC 3A-4A schedule on Thursday by visiting West Iredell.
Statesville’s remaining league game is Thursday at S. Iredell (5 p.m.).
— Reported by Jonathan Watts, Alexander Central Sports Information