Prep softball: South Caldwell shocks Weddington in 4A; Union Academy takes 1A Game 1
If Weddington High School is going to repeat as N.C. 4A Western Regional softball champion, the Warriors are going to have to work for it.
Weddington, which hadn’t allowed a run in the postseason, lost 1-0 to South Caldwell, at home, Tuesday in first game of a best-of-three series.
Weddington, which had the bases loaded in the 7th and final inning, will need to win the next two games to advance.
Game two is set for Thursday at South Caldwell, starting at 7 p.m.
The Warriors lost on Tuesday, despite a spectacular game from starting pitcher Joelle Thomas.
Thomas gave up just four hits, but a solo home run to South Caldwell junior catcher and leadoff hitter Mcartney Harrington over the left-center-field fence in the top of the sixth inning proved the difference in South Caldwell’s 1-0 win.
“I had been struggling, and we’ve been working a lot in the cages,” Harrington said. “It was great to see it pay off today.”
Harrington’s blast was the difference, but South Caldwell freshman starter Maddy Moore more than held her own.
Moore allowed just three hits, struck out three and walked zero in earning a complete-game shutout.
Moore also worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure the win.
“I know I have a great defense behind me,” Moore said. “I had great support, and I trust my defense to just make my pitch.”
THREE WHO MATTERED
Maddy Moore, South Caldwell: The freshman appeared in her first regional final and shut down the high-powered Weddington offense.
McCartney Harrington, South Caldwell: The junior’s sixth inning home run was the difference in the 1-0 victory.
Joelle Thomas, Weddington: Thomas recorded her 500th career strikeout and allowed just four hits and one run while throwing a complete game and striking out five.
THEY SAID IT
“It’s not the outcome we wanted, but something we knew could happen,” Weddington coach Claire Lyerly said. ”We scored eight runs on them the first time we played, so we will go back at it.”
Union Academy wins Game 1 in 1A
Union Academy 1, East Wilkes 0: Union Academy scored the game’s only run in the first inning and allowed East Wilkes just three hits in the first game in the best-of-three 1A Western Regional championship series. Union Academy (26-1) can win the regional and advance to next week’s state championship with a victory at East Wilkes (25-5) on Thursday.
Boys’ lacrosse playoffs
Charlotte Catholic 18, T.C. Roberson 3: The fourth-seeded Cougars cruised into a Friday quarterfinal against defending state 4A runner-up Lake Norman. Brendon Leonard led the way. with six goals and two assists. Cole Sovie added four goals, and goalkeeper James Hedley stopped 17 of 20 shots.
Christ the King 23, St. Stephens 5: The top-seeded Crusaders jumped to a 9-0 first-quarter lead and built a 17-1 margin at the half, in rolling to a Class 1A-2A-3A victory. Christ the King will host Lake Norman Charter in a quarterfinal game Friday.
Lake Norman 13, Ardrey Kell 8: The top-seeded Wildcats (18-4) will host fourth seed Charlotte Catholic in a Friday quarterfinal. The two teams met on March 7, with Lake Norman winning 7-6.
Lake Norman Charter 18, Hickory 7: The Knights got eight goals and two assists from Jacob Carlacasco, in cruising to a 1A-2A-3A victory. Tyler Price added six goals and six assists, Colin Bradley collected five ground balls, and Noah McGovern made seven saves in goal.
Lake Norman Charter’s next game is Friday at Christ the King. The Knights lost to Christ the King 11-10 on March 28.
Girls’ lacrosse playoffs
Lake Norman 21, West Forsyth 9: Juliet Cascia’s five goals and two assists led Lake Norman into the 4A quarterfinals. Kate Wood added four goals and an assist, and Tessa Cicnon grabbed six ground balls.
The Wildcats’ next match is Friday at top-seeded Marvin Ridge.
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM.
