Observer-area baseball teams facing crucial playoff games Friday
The high school baseball playoffs continue Friday with public school teams in regional semifinals and private school teams beginning state championship series.
Observer-area teams are alive in many brackets. A quick look:
▪ In 4A, Providence High, the 2015 N.C. 4A state championship, plays at Skyland Roberson (24-1) Friday night at 7. The Panthers (21-4) are hunting a fourth straight regional championship series appearance and pushing for a second state championship berth in three years.
Lake Norman (25-3) hosts Southeast Guilford (21-4) at 7 p.m. Friday night. Lake Norman has won 12 straight games under coach Ty Winnington.
▪ In 3A, two-time defending state champion Marvin Ridge (23-2) is still alive and will host Union County rival Cuthbertson (20-5) Friday night at 7 in a game that may attract a few fans. The winner will face either Crest (18-6) or West Rowan (21-4), a pair of area teams that play Friday night at 7 at West Rowan.
▪ Two area teams are alive in 2A: R-S Central (22-3) hosts West Davidson Friday at 7; and Lake Norman Charter (18-6) is at Forbush at 7:30. Two teams are also alive in 1A: North Stanly (19-5) hosts North Stokes (13-12); and Pine Lake Prep (15-5) is at Murphy (20-5) at 5 p.m. Friday.
▪ Two area teams will play for N.C. private schools championships in best-of-3 series that begin Friday. In 3A, Charlotte Christian (30-3) will face High Point Wesleyan (25-1) in Game 1 at Raleigh Ravenscroft at 5:30 p.m. Game 2 is Saturday. In 2A, Northside Christian faces Faith Christian at 4 p.m. at Westchester Country Day. Game 2 is Saturday.
NCHSAA Baseball Pairings
Class 4A
West
Regional semifinals
Providence (21-4) at Skyland Roberson (24-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Southeast Guilford (21-4) at Lake Norman (22-3), 7 p.m. Friday
East
Regional semifinals
Holly Springs (21-4) at Greenville Rose (23-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Fuquay-Varina (19-6) at Wilmington New Hanover (22-3), 7 p.m. Friday
Class 3A
West
Regional semifinals
Cuthbertson (20-5) at Marvin Ridge (23-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Crest (18-6) at West Rowan (21-4), 7 p.m. Friday
East
Regional semifinals
West Brunswick (18-7) at Hampstead Topsail (20-5), 6 p.m. Friday
Pittsboro Northwood (22-3) at Northern Guilford (23-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Class 2A
West
Regional semifinals
West Davidson (20-5) at R-S Central (22-3), 7 p.m. Friday
Lake Norman Charter (18-6) at Forbush (22-3), 7:30 p.m.. Friday
East
Regional semifinals
Randleman (21-4) at South Granville (24-1), 7 p.m. Friday
North Lenoir (21-4) at Edenton Holmes (23-2), 6:30 p.m. Friday
Class 1A
West
Regional semifinals
North Stokes (13-12) at North Stanly (19-5), 7 p.m. Friday
Pine Lake Prep (15-5) at Murphy (20-5), 5 p.m. Friday
East
Regional semifinals
Whiteville (20-5) at Bear Grass Charter (23-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Durham Voyager Academy (17-5) at Rosewood (22-3), 6:30 p.m. Friday
NCISAA State Final Pairings
Friday’s State finals (best of 3)
1A at the Oakwood School: Lawrence Academy vs. Kerr-Vance, 4 p.m. (Game 2, Sat, noon; Game 3, if needed, after Game 2)
2A atWestchester Country Day: Northside Christian vs. Faith Christian, 4 p.m. (Game 2, Sat, noon; Game, if needed, after Game 2)
3A at Raleigh Ravenscroft: Wesleyan Christian (25-1) vs. Charlotte Christian (30-3), 5:30 p.m. (Game 2, Sat, noon; Game 3, if needed, after Game 2)
This story was originally published May 19, 2017 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Observer-area baseball teams facing crucial playoff games Friday."