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Wiping out a two-run deficit on the road on Wednesday night, South Caldwell High moved within a victory of playing for the state 4A softball championship.
The second-seeded Spartans (27-2) rallied to beat top-seeded Richmond County 3-2, going up one game to none as the Raiders come to Hudson for Game 2 on Thursday night at 6 p.m.
If South Caldwell wins, it advances to a June 1-2 best-of-3 title series against No. 8 Fayetteville Britt (21-5) or No. 4 Wilmington Hoggard (15-11).
Britt opened the East title series on Wednesday by winning on the road 7-3, with Game 2 scheduled Friday at 6 p.m. at Hoggard.
If the South Caldwell-Richmond County series goes to a third game, it will be played Saturday at 7 p.m. in Rockingham.
The Raiders (24-4) grabbed a 2-0 lead over the Spartans – who have won 24 straight games — on a hit down the third-base line by Payton Chappell with the bases loaded.
A leadoff home run by freshman Reagan Weisner in the fourth inning had the Spartans within 2-1.
South Caldwell grabbed the lead for good in the sixth inning. Cydney Combs led off with a single and scored on a hit by Ciara Hanson. The go-ahead run scored when Addison Blair had a sacrifice fly that scored Hanson.
Spartans head coach Casey Justice has them in the state playoffs for the sixth straight season and for the ninth time in 10 years.
This is South Caldwell’s second bid in the West best-of-3 title series. They faced North Davidson there in 2015, falling in two games, after edging Richmond County 5-2 to get into that series.
MORE COVERAGE: https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/sports/80828/richmond-softball-drops-game-1-of-western-regional-finals
Bears at home and win away
Bunker Hill (17-6, 13th seed) needs a home win on Thursday at 6 p.m. against No. 2 seed Franklin (22-1) to advance to a best-of-3 series on June 1-2 for the state 2A title.
The Bears — coached by Randy Joines — won 2-0 in the opening West 2A game on Tuesday at Franklin.
If a third game is needed, it is scheduled Saturday at 6 p.m. at Macon Middle School.
The teams left in the East 2A bracket are No. 5 Whiteville (24-3) and No. 2 North Johnston (27-1).
Cougars on the road
Third-seeded Alexander Central (25-5) visits No. 4 Carson (20-7) on Thursday at 6 p.m. needing a win to get into the state 3A best-of-3 title series.
The Cougars won the first game of the West series Tuesday 5-4 in Taylorsville.
If a third game is needed, it is set for Friday at 6 p.m. at Alexander Central.
In the East 3A bracket, No. 5 Cleveland leads after winning the opening game Wednesday at Western Alamance, 12-4.
BASEBALL
Knights must win
After having its 18-game win streak snapped by Ledford on Tuesday night, North Lincoln goes to Ledford on Thursday and must win to keep the season going.
The second game of a West 2A best-of-3 series begins at 7 p.m.
North Lincoln is a No. 1 seed and 25-3; Ledford is a No. 10 seed and 27-3.
In East 2A race, No. 1 Whiteville (26-1) won Wednesday’s opening game at home by beating No. 2 North Lenoir, 4-2.
GIRLS SOCCER
Lake Norman Charter plays at 2 p.m.
In match times set on Wednesday by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), the state 2A girls’ soccer match – No. 2 Lake Norman Charter (22-0-1) versus No. 2 First Flight (24-2-1) — is at 2 p.m. at N.C. State.