CREEDMOOR – Top-seeded South Granville defeated West Bladen 18-0 Wednesday night in the opening round of the NCHSAA Class 2A Softball State Play-offs.
The Lady Vikings who were Class 2A state champions in 2015 and 2016 and runners-up in 2017 pounded out 15 hits and slugged 2 home runs in the win over West Bladen.
Senior Megan White walloped a 3-run home run in the third inning, and senior Brianna Coleman hammered a 2-run homer in the second inning. White finished 2-2 at the plate with 4 runs batted in, and Coleman was 2-3 with 3 rbi’s.
Sophmore Emma Jones and freshman Jenna Curry both batted 3-4 for the Lady Vikings. Freshman Brooke Bowling pitched a 3-hitter, walked four batters and struck out nine for the winners.
Sophomore Kyla Reed beat out a bunt single in the third inning for the first West Bladen hit. Junior Carley Dawson ripped a single to leftfield, and senior Madison Collins belted a single to left-centerfield to start the Lady Knight fourth inning.
Two outs later freshman Shelby Pharr drew a 2-out walk to load the bases, but the next batter was retired to end the game.
West Bladen qualified for the Class 2A play-offs with the third-best 2A record in the Three Rivers Conference (10-8) despite losing seven seniors from last year’s team plus a key returnee to injury.
“I am very proud of this team,” said West Bladen Coach Pam Stephens. “They have really worked hard. This is a good group of girls.”
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