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KINGS MOUNTAIN — Kings Mountain softball relied on a simple, yet effective formula last spring en route to an NCHSAA 3A West title, leaning heavily on pitcher Maddie Huffman and getting its share of timely hits.
For coach Kevin Cruise and the Mountaineers, it was nice to see old rules still applied.
Kings Mountain (15-3) earned a spot in Round 2 of the NCHSAA 3A West playoffs, the 13th-ranked Mountaineers taking a 3-0 win over No. 20 North Lincoln.
“You know, I might need to get some T-shirts made with the word ‘Grit’ on them, because the past two years this team has learned how to win tight games,” Cruise said. It’s just a testament to these girls, how they approach the game, how serious they are and the passion they play with. These girls just find a way to win.”
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An unfortunate injury to left fielder Aniston Moore while fielding a shallow fly ball was doubly costly for the Knights, Kings Mountain’s Addie Carpenter racing around for an inside-the-park home run with two out in the fifth. The Mountaineers tacked on a pair in the sixth, senior Paige Fleming hitting a home run with junior Anna Wooten earning an RBI triple.
Those runs proved enough for Huffman, the Western Carolina recruit facing two batters over the minimum. She allowed no runs on one hits, with a walk and 12 strikeouts. North Lincoln’s only hit came on an Izzy Nishek bunt in the third.
Maysen Reames did her part to keep North Lincoln (18-7) within reach, allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts.
“I was just happy with the adjustments we made in-game,” Cruise added. “Though these girls know each other and played against each other in middle school, us coaches had to remind them how good (North Lincoln) was. They have a good ball club and proved it.”
Next up for Kings Mountain is No. 4 East Rowan, which earned a 12-0 win over 29-seed Freedom. It is the second straight postseason in which the teams will meet, Kings Mountain taking a 1-0 win last May.
“We beat them last year and I know they are eager to get a shot at us, so we have to be at our best Friday,” the Kings Mountain coach said.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: NCHSAA softball: Kings Mountain outlasts North Lincoln in 3A playoffs
Continue reading...
For coach Kevin Cruise and the Mountaineers, it was nice to see old rules still applied.
Kings Mountain (15-3) earned a spot in Round 2 of the NCHSAA 3A West playoffs, the 13th-ranked Mountaineers taking a 3-0 win over No. 20 North Lincoln.
“You know, I might need to get some T-shirts made with the word ‘Grit’ on them, because the past two years this team has learned how to win tight games,” Cruise said. It’s just a testament to these girls, how they approach the game, how serious they are and the passion they play with. These girls just find a way to win.”
PLAYOFF WATCH LIST: 53 Gastonia, Shelby high school softball players to watch during NCHSAA, NCISAA playoffs
ALL EVEN: Kings Mountain softball draws even with Crest in Big South 3A title race. Here's how
An unfortunate injury to left fielder Aniston Moore while fielding a shallow fly ball was doubly costly for the Knights, Kings Mountain’s Addie Carpenter racing around for an inside-the-park home run with two out in the fifth. The Mountaineers tacked on a pair in the sixth, senior Paige Fleming hitting a home run with junior Anna Wooten earning an RBI triple.
Those runs proved enough for Huffman, the Western Carolina recruit facing two batters over the minimum. She allowed no runs on one hits, with a walk and 12 strikeouts. North Lincoln’s only hit came on an Izzy Nishek bunt in the third.
Maysen Reames did her part to keep North Lincoln (18-7) within reach, allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts.
“I was just happy with the adjustments we made in-game,” Cruise added. “Though these girls know each other and played against each other in middle school, us coaches had to remind them how good (North Lincoln) was. They have a good ball club and proved it.”
Next up for Kings Mountain is No. 4 East Rowan, which earned a 12-0 win over 29-seed Freedom. It is the second straight postseason in which the teams will meet, Kings Mountain taking a 1-0 win last May.
“We beat them last year and I know they are eager to get a shot at us, so we have to be at our best Friday,” the Kings Mountain coach said.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: NCHSAA softball: Kings Mountain outlasts North Lincoln in 3A playoffs
Continue reading...
