5 Observer-area teams begin chase for NCHSAA baseball, softball titles Friday
Five Observer-area teams begin play in the N.C. High School Athletic Association state baseball and softball championships Friday
Two area teams, 1A North stanly and 2A West Lincoln, are in the softball finals. Three -- 3A Marvin Ridge, 2A East Rutherford and 1A Cherryville -- are in the baseball.
A quick look:
Baseball
Marvin Ridge (28-5) will play Topsail (21-10) in the 3A finals. Marvin Ridge will try to do what Union County rival Weddington did in 2012 and 2013 -- repeat as 3A state champions. Union County teams have won three of the past four state titles in the class.
▪ In 2A, East Rutherford (23-7) faces South Granville (23-3). South Granville is the defending champion. East Rutherford won three 2A titles in a row from 2002-04 and also won 2007 and 2010. East Rutherford played four straight playoff games on the road this season, after qualifying for the playoffs as a No. 23 seed. Pitcher Ethan Stewart threw a no-hitter in the deciding game of the regional championship series last week.
▪ In 1A, Cherryville (28-4) faces Whiteville (25-3). Whiteville hunts a state championship 3-peat. Cherryville, a longtime state power, looks to win its first title since 2008. In 1992, Cherryville beat Whiteville to win the state championship. Ironmen junior pitcher Tyler Sanders’ father, Steve, was MVP of the ‘92 series.
Softball
▪ In 2A, West Lincoln (25-2) faces South Granville (24-1). South Granville won the first 1A/2A fast-pitch state title in 1996. It won the 2A title in 1998 and 2015. West Lincoln is looking for its first fast-pitch title. Rebels pitcher Cassidy Wise had a 3-hitter in last week’s 2-0 Western Regional championship win over Forbush. She struck out six and walked two. Forbush got two runners on second base during the game, but none past that.
▪ In 1A, North Stanly (24-4) faces Princeton (22-1). North has scored 211 runs this season.
NCHSAA Baseball, Softball State Finals Pairings
Baseball
State finals
4A (Five County Stadium, Zebulon)
North Davidson (28-2) vs. Cary Green Hope (25-5)
Game 1: 5 p.m. Friday
Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday
Game 3 (if needed): 5 p.m. Saturday
3A (Burlington Athletic Stadium)
Marvin Ridge (28-5) vs. Topsail (21-10)
Game 1: 5 p.m. Friday
Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday
Game 3 (if needed): 5 p.m. Saturday
2A (Burlington Athletic Stadium)
East Rutherford (23-7) vs. South Granville (23-3)
Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday
Game 2: 2 p.m. Saturday
Game 3 (if needed): 8 p.m. Saturday
1A (Five County Stadium, Zebulon)
Cherryville (28-4) vs. Whiteville (25-3)
Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday
Game 2: 2 p.m. Saturday
Game 3 (if needed): 8 p.m. Saturday
Softball
State finals
4A (at Dail Stadium, N.C. State)
West Forsyth (28-2) vs. Fayetteville Cape Fear (29-1)
Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday
Game 2: 2 p.m. Saturday
Game 3 (if needed): 8 p.m. Saturday (will be played at 5 p.m. if 1A series does not need a third game)
3A (UNC-Greensboro)
Enka (24-3) vs. Pikeville C.B. Aycock (29-2)
Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday
Game 2: 2 p.m. Saturday
Game 3 (if needed): 8 p.m. Saturday (will be played at 5 p.m. if 2A series does not need a third game)
2A (UNC-Greensboro)
West Lincoln (25-2) vs. South Granville (24-1)
Game 1: 6 p.m. Friday
Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday
Game 3 (if needed): 5 p.m. Saturday
1A (Dail Stadium, N.C. State)
North Stanly (24-4) vs. Princeton (22-1)
Game 1: 6 p.m. Friday
Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday
Game 3 (if needed): 5 p.m. Saturday
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article80821322.html#storylink=cpy
This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 4:01 PM with the headline "5 Observer-area teams begin chase for NCHSAA baseball, softball titles Friday."