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Despite having nine fewer hits, Alexander Central High had the biggest on Friday night.
MILLSAPS/Facebook photo
The Cougars got a solo home run from Chesney Millsaps with two outs in the 10th inning to nip visiting Cox Mill 1-0 in the fourth round of the state 3A softball playoffs.
Millsaps (24-5) also pitched nine innings, giving up 12 hits, walking three and striking out three as third-seeded Alexander Central (24-5) reached the West 3A best-of-3 title series against No. 4 Carson (20-6).
Carson edged No. 8 Marvin Ridge 8-3 on Thursday.
The best-of-3 West championship series must begin by Tuesday and will start with Game 1 in Taylorsville unless the teams mutually agree to a different format. Game 2 would be at Carson and Game 3, if needed, in Taylorsville.
Millsaps, Alexis Walter and Mattie Starnes each had one hit for the Cougars on Friday night while Cassidy Wall, Madison Phillips, Madison Michael and Lauren Phillips each had two hits for Cox Mill (17-9).
Cox Mill left 10 runners stranded, with Millsaps throwing 78 of her 131 pitches for strikes.
Michael took the loss for Cox Mill. She pitched 8 2/3 innings, gave up three hits, walked one and struck out five.
A best-of-3 state title series is scheduled June 1-2, and the East 3A teams still live are No. 5 Cleveland (18-3), No. 19 Greenville Conley (17-8) and No. 2 Western Alamance (23-3).
Franklin 4, Fred T. Foard 3
Second-seed Franklin answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning after No. 3 Foard had scored three runs to tie a fourth-round 2A playoff game, winning to advance to play Bunker Hill next week for the West 2A title.
After the Tigers (20-3) gained a tie, Taylor Carlton singled in Haeli Bryson to give Franklin (22-0) the lead.
Frankin will play No. 13 Bunker Hill (16-6) — which advanced Thursday with a 2-1 road victory over top-seeded West Stanly – in a best-of-3 series that is schedule to begin Tuesday.
Unless the teams agree to another format, Game 1 will be at Franklin, Game 2 at Bunker Hill and Game 3, if needed, at Franklin.
The West winner will play June 1-2 in a best-of-3 series for the state 2A title.
On Friday night, Foard outhit Franklin 9-6, and leadoff hitter Abby Settlemyre reached base in the first, second, third, fifth and sixth innings. Settlemyre had three hits – a single, double and triple.
Adison Yoder singled in two runs, and Morgan Smith’s two-out single tied the game for Foard.
Franklin freshman Mckenzie Redoutey hit a two-run homer in the first inning, when the Panthers scored three runs.
GIRLS SOCCER
Lake Norman Charter 2, Hendersonville 0
Ayden Yates scored both goals for the Knights, who won despite rain at Bradford Park Field in Huntersville to advance to the West 2A title match.
Lake Norman Charter (21-0-1, No. 2 seed) will next face No. 4 Forbush (23-2-1) or No. 1 Salisbury (24-0-0) in a match that must be played by Tuesday.
If Forbush wins, the Knights will be at home. If Salisbury wins, the Knights go on the road.
Lake Norman Charter avenged a 2017 loss to Hendersonville that knocked the Knights out of the running for a state title.
Yates scored once in each half and center backs Maddie Sims and Olivia Masterton led Lake Norman Charter defensively.
Olivia Tanaka and Kasey Hahn each had an assist on Yates’ goals while Kaela Rasenberger was in goal for the Knights.
Olivia Haraldsson attacked from outside all through the rain-soaked match, firing 22 shots for Lake Norman Charter.
The state 2A final is next weekend in Raleigh.
SATURDAY GAMES
S. Caldwell postponed, N. Lincoln have home games
Saturday’s fourth-round games for area teams — postponed by rain on Friday– were to be in West 4A softball and West 2A baseball.
In softball, No. 3 Mooresville (22-4) visits No. 2 South Caldwell (25-2), scheduled Saturday at noon, is now postponed until Monday at 6 p.m.
In baseball, No. 4 Smoky Mountain (21-3) plays at No. 1 North Lincoln (24-2) at 3 p.m. on Saturday
The Mooresville-South Caldwell winner advances to a best-of-3 West title series against No. 13 Hickory Ridge (18-5) or No. 1 Richmond County (23-3), who play Saturday at 7 p.m. at Richmond County.
The Smoky Mountain-North Lincoln winner advances to a best-of-3 West title series against No. 10 Ledford (25-3) or No. 3 North Davidson (22-4), who meet Saturday at 1 p.m.