Prep baseball roundup: Max Luzarraga pitches Weddington past South Meck
Weddington and South Mecklenburg both stumbled down the stretch of the regular season, each losing three of six heading into the first round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs on Tuesday.
When the teams met in Union County to start the playoffs, Weddington made the plays that it needed for a 2-0 victory to advance in the playoffs.
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After stealing home in the first inning, Weddington senior catcher Ben Harrington drove in Joseph Fiore, who had tripled before him, to stake the Warriors to a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
And that was all starting pitcher Max Luzarraga would need.
Luzarraga, a Dallas Baptist commit, threw 93 pitches over six innings and struck out nine. He walked just one batter and scattered two hits through six innings.
“Max was the guy for us tonight, but he’s honestly been doing that all year,” said Weddington coach Richard Hurni.
The Sabres’ Charlie Doherty broke up a perfect game to lead off the fifth inning, but South Meck couldn’t capitalize on its lone chance.
Weddington reliever Janes Yanz closed out the game with two strikeouts and a game-ending groundout.
Luzarraga will not pitch in the second round, against Providence, but he thinks his team will be in good hands.
“We have to play a little better, and the bats have to get hot,” Luzarraga said. “But we have me, we have (starting pitcher) Kayden (McGaufflin) and we have what I think is the best bullpen in the state. It’s going to come down to us the rest of the way, but we can hang with anyone in the state right now. And we’ve proven it.”
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Sun Valley 8, Alexander Central 1: Sun Valley banged out 11 hits and dominated its first-round NCHSAA 4A playoff game Tuesday.
The Spartans trailed 1-0 but exploded for all eight runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, including a five-run fifth.
Sun Valley (16-11) won its fifth straight game, led by senior Jessen Copeland who was 2 for 3 with a double and three runs scored.
Sun Valley pitcher, sophomore Connor Salerno, threw seven innings of two-hit ball. He struck out 10.
Carmel Christian 3, Providence Day 1: Anderson Rider fired a complete-game four-hitter, and Ryan Field drove in two runs, leading Carmel Christian to a first-round NCISAA 4A playoff victory.
Charlotte Catholic 8, East Forsyth 4: Paul Greeley had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run for the Cougars in their home 4A victory.
Christ the King 5, Bishop McGuinness 3: Patrick Walsh and Troy Aiderfer homered, leading the Crusaders to a first-round 1A victory.
Cuthbertson 11, Glenn 0: Cuthbertson won its first-round game easily Tuesday. Pitcher Gavin Aldredge had five strikeouts. Nathan Wilson (2 for 3, HR, 4 RBIS, 2 runs), Robert Johnstone (3 for 4, 3 RBIs), Brady Williamson (HR, 2 RBIs) led the offense.
East Lincoln 5, North Henderson 4: Ethan Arledge-Martin went 4-for-4, with two doubles and three RBI in this 3A contest.
High Point Wesleyan 5, Charlotte Country Day 4: The Buccaneers dropped their first-round NCISAA playoff game in 10 innings, despite two RBI from James Lowe.
Hough 11, Hopewell 2: The Huskies advanced in the 4A West, downing their neighborhood rivals. Winning pitcher Tyler Baird got relief help from Lochlan Robins.
Lake Norman Charter 3, Hibriten 0: The Knights went on the road for a 3A victory. Winning pitcher Trevor Cook fired three innings of two-hit ball, and Braden Wilkie worked four innings for the save. Jesus Acuna had three hits, including a home run, and David Wignot had two hits.
Myers Park 2, Porter Ridge 1: The Mustangs rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh in this 4A game. Evan Howard tied the game with an RBI double, and Miles Catchpole scored on a wild pitch.
Providence 5, Southeast Guilford 1: The Panthers advanced with a home 4A victory, allowing the Cowboys only four base-runners.
West Forsyth 4, Ardrey Kell 3 (10 innings): Parker Vanstory and Brady Maroni each had two hits for Ardrey Kell, but an error allowed West Forsyth to score an unearned run in the bottom of the 10th.
This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM.
