Draughn softball wins twice more, leads early WPC 3A/4A race

The Draughn softball team topped a pair of Rutherford County opponents at home — one in a nail-biter and one via blowout — over the last week to assume the outright Western Piedmont 3A/4A Conference lead.

The Lady Wildcats (4-2, 3-0 WPC) first edged R-S Central, 5-4 in eight innings, on March 13 before disposing of Chase on Wednesday by an 11-0 margin in five innings.

Draughn led 4-0 over R-S after the first inning but never scored again until senior Avie Helton’s walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the eighth. Helton also delivered from the circle, pitching all eight innings and yielding three earned runs with three strikeouts.

Ava Aldridge (triple, RBI, two runs, two SB) and Aubrey Childers (RBI) led the Wildcats with two hits each, Cydnee Deal (walk) and Makenzie Powell both singled and drove in one, and Lindsey Hensley (SB), Bailey Winkler (single, two SB), and Braylen Clontz scored a run apiece.

Then on Wednesday in Valdese, Maria Medrano (2 for 3, two runs, SB) hit a home run, and Helton was lights out again, striking out five in the shortened complete-game shutout as she allowed just two hits and a walk.

Other DHS offensive leaders in the victory were Aldridge (2 for 3, two runs, four RBIs) and Hensley (three walks, three runs, five SB). Deal (single, walk, RBI, SB) and Winkler (single, two walks, RBI, SB) also scored twice each, and Clontz (double, walk), Helton, and Childers added an RBI apiece.

Patton (3-2, 1-2 WPC) and Freedom (3-5, 1-1 Northwestern 6A/7A Conf.) also won games over the past week, with both teams gaining their initial league wins and third overall wins to date.

The Lady Panthers rolled past host East Burke (1-4, 0-2 WPC) by a 13-1 score in five innings on March 13, scoring multiple runs in each of the first three innings, capped by seven in the top of the third to seize a 12-0 lead en route to the run-rule win.

Patton was led at the plate by Jolann Buff (3 for 4, double, five RBIs, three runs), Lila Hudson (2 for 4, double, home runs, four RBIs, run), Ady Moorefield (3 for 4, RBI, SB), and Alex Maines (2 for 3, walk, two runs, SB), while Moorefield (5 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 4 K) also excelled in the circle.

Other PHS players who produced at the plate in the win were Hayden Carlson (two RBIs, run, SB), Annaliese Cochran (two runs, two walks), Rachel Mace (two runs), Heaven Waycaster (two hits including a double, run), and Ida Miller (single, run, RBI).

EB’s Makenzii Nguyen finished with two hits, stealing a base and scoring the hosts’ lone run via a Linda Crawford RBI single. Hermione Garro (double) and Amanda McLean (single) also reached base with hits, and Ally Boyette (5 IP, 6 ER, 2 K) took the loss.

Patton then sought to make it two straight, leading visiting Hibriten 6-1 after an inning on Wednesday. The Lady Panthers still held a 6-4 lead entering the seventh, when the guests went wild for a dozen runs in a 16-6 PHS setback.

Alex Maines (2 for 4, double, HR, two RBIs), Kayden Maines (3 for 4, run, SB), and Hudson (2 for 3, walk, run, two SB) each recorded multiple hits for Patton, while Buff (single) and Cochran (walk) both stole a base and scored a run, Waycaster notched two RBIs, and Mace singled and scored a run.

Meanwhile, Freedom won in dramatic fashion, 9-8, at St. Stephens on Wednesday after suffering an 18-4, five-inning home loss to Watauga to open league play on March 13.

The Lady Patriots rallied from an 8-1 deficit against the Indians, scoring eight runs in top of the fifth and hanging on for the victory behind starting pitcher Madelyn LeMaster (7 IP, 2 ER, 5 K).

At the plate, Freedom was led by Rumi Campbell (two hits including a double, two runs, SB), Addison Webb (two hits, run, RBI), Kaylee Skinner (hit, two walks, run, RBI), Abigayle Gibson (hit, two RBIs, run), Caylyn Taylor (hit, two RBIs), and Rhiley Buchanan (two walks, run), with Hallie Ollis, Bella Creegan, and Kayleigh Woody adding a run each.

In the loss late last week, Gibson homered and scored twice as part of a two-hit day, and Webb (two hits, RBI), Skinner (double, two RBIs, run), Creegan (single, run), and Campbell (double) enjoyed solid days at the plate as well.

BASEBALL

Patton, EB both move to 2-1 in WPC action

Host East Burke handed Patton its first league loss on March 13, winning by an 11-2 margin, before both teams took care of business with league road triumphs on Wednesday as they both entered Friday’s late action with 2-1 conference records.

The Cavaliers (2-4, 2-1 WPC) scored three runs in the home half of the first inning and never trailed, though their lead was just 4-2 before plating seven more runs in the sixth to break the game open late.

EB’s Colt Butcher (6 IP, 13 K) mowed down the Panthers from the mound en route to the decision, with Jonas Weidner pitching the final inning.

Maddox Mosteller homered and scored two runs for the Cavs, who also got big offensive efforts from Butcher (double, run, RBI), Colton Ward (single, two RBIs, two runs), Easton Wilson (single, RBI, run), Nathan Fortenberry (double, two RBIs), Clemson Watts (double, RBI, run), and Rhett Houston (single, RBI, run). Weidner, Cayson Mooneyham, and Johnny Powell also scored a run each.

The Panthers — who were outhit by an 11-5 margin and committed four errors to EB’s none — got two hits apiece from Brady Davis (two doubles, two runs) and Gavin Johnson, while Trevor Throneburg added a single, walk, and RBI. Landry Duvall (5 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 5 K) took the loss from the mound.

EB then gained a 9-4 win at Hibriten as Mosteller pitched 4 1/3 innings to again earn the win before Weidner again slammed the door shut on the opposition from the mound, recording the final eight outs. No other EB statistics were available.

Patton (5-2, 2-1 WPC) rebounded to nab a 6-0 mid-week road win over Draughn (0-6, 0-3 WPC) as pitcher Cohen Christian’s latest gem from the mound included 12 strikeouts with only one hit and one walk over 6 2/3 innings.

Davis again finished with two hits and two runs, adding a pair of stolen bases to pace the PHS lineup, which also got production via Throneburg (hit, three RBIs), Wyatt Hullette (two runs, RBI), River McCrary (SB), Laine Barrier (RBI double), Duvall (run), and Christian (RBI).

Draughn had previously lost 10-0 in five innings at home against R-S Central on March 13, with David Burnette supplying the only hit for the Wildcats and Christian Hubbard and Caden Barker drawing a walk apiece. Barker (3 IP, ER, 2 K) was also Draughn’s most effective pitcher in the loss.

And Freedom (3-4, 0-2 NWC) opened league play with a 3-0 home loss to Watauga on March 13 followed by a 13-3 loss at St. Stephens on Wednesday.

The Patriots were outhit 4-3 and committed the game’s only two errors late last week against the Pioneers. Brooks Snipes, Puckett Hudson, and Eddie Branch had a hit each for Freedom, and Carson Wells walked twice, while Kaden Michaels (5 IP, 2 ER, 4 K) was solid from the mound despite taking the loss, as was reliever Alex Wall (2 IP, 0 ER, 3 K).

No FHS statistics were available from Wednesday’s game.

GIRLS SOCCER

Patton edges Freedom, suffers 1st league L

The Lady Panthers scraped by host and archrival Freedom by a 3-2 margin on March 12 as Carlie Harris scored the game-winner on an assist from Jaxyn Nolen in the 72nd minute.

Patton (6-1, 1-1 WPC) got on the scoreboard initially thanks to an own goal by the Lady Patriots, leading 1-0 at halftime, and Ana Sic netted the guests’ second goal.

Two Jessenia Chavez goals, assisted by Jessielen Morales-Boccerra and Aura Andres, lifted Freedom (2-4-1) to a 2-1 lead before Patton rallied to keep its record perfect.

“While I am never pleased with a loss, I’m very pleased that we continue to improve and show growth,” Freedom coach Adam Mazzolini said. “This team has gotten better in every single practice and every single game. That is all that you can ask for as a coach.”

Patton the next day drilled East Burke (0-3-1, 0-1 WPC) at home, 6-0, as Brenda Lopez tallied two goals and an assist, Becca Velasquez also posted two goals to give her 15 already for the season, Nolen netted her 10th goal of the year and tacked on one assist, and Harris found the back of the net once.

Patton’s perfect start was then snapped in a 2-0 home loss to Hibriten on Wednesday.

“That was a great game from the girls, in spite of (the loss),” said Patton coach Will Singley. “A loss always hurts, but it shows us how we can get better. Still, lots to be proud of … great hustle, better communication, and good movement with the ball at our feet. I’m excited to play Hibriten again in April, especially when we keep making improvements.”

EB also fell on Wednesday at home against Avery County, 8-0, allowing four goals in each half.

In other local action, NCSSM-Morganton (2-3, 2-1 Catawba River 1A/2A/3A Conf.) lost 4-1 at Polk County on March 12, beat Piedmont Community Charter on the road Tuesday, 2-1, and fell 9-0 at Mountain Island Charter on Wednesday.

All three Lady Dragons’ goals in that span came via Hannah Xu, with Nicole Taylor and Ennis Marcus each providing an assist in Tuesday’s triumph.

And Draughn (1-2-2, 0-1-1 WPC) was clipped, 3-2, by R-S Central at home March 13 before battling to a 2-2 tie at home against Chase on Wednesday. Eliana Cline scored both goals, with Genesis Becerra adding one assist against R-S, and both players contributed one goal Wednesday, with Evyona Yang and Bailey Mozeley adding an assist apiece.

BOYS TENNIS

Cavs, Dragons remain perfect in conference

East Burke (7-0, 5-0 WPC) and NCSSM-Morganton (3-1, 2-0 CRC) both hit the road to Rutherford County on Tuesday to win their only recent matches by identical 8-1 margins and remain perfect in early league action, with the Cavaliers winning at East Rutherford and the Dragons winning at Thomas Jefferson.

EB gained its singles wins via No. 1 Luke Borders (8-0), No. 2 Braxton Kirkland (8-1), No. 3 Haiden Dale (8-0), No. 4 Yingchi Yang (8-4), No. 5 Landon Yang (8-3), and No. 6 Daniel Capps (8-5) before Borders/Dale won 8-0 and Y. Yang/Michael Rodriguez won 9-7 at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles, respectively.

NCSSM-M collected singles wins from No. 1 Nicholas Levine (6-1, 6-3), No. 2 Andy Quach (6-3, 6-2), No. 4 August Cook (7-6, 6-0), No. 5 Nash Taylor (7-5, 6-3), and No. 6 Aneel Gupta (6-2, 6-2). In doubles, No. 1 Levine/Quach won 8-3, No. 2 Cook/Taylor won 8-1, and No. 3 Aarav Patel/Akshaj Puttoju won 8-5.

Meanwhile, Freedom (0-3 NWC) lost 9-0 on the road to both South Caldwell on Tuesday and St. Stephens on Wednesday.

The Patriots No. 1 doubles team of Ezra Scott/Jafet Vasquez and No. 3 David Rodriguez/Isaiah Mueller won the team’s only games to open the week before Scott lost just 6-4, 6-3 on the No. 1 singles line the next afternoon.

OTHER SPORTS

All six county squads in early track action

Each Burke County prep track squad got in some action recently, with two-thirds of those teams all in action at the West Caldwell First Chance meet on March 12.

At that meet, county squads combined for nine event victories, led by East Burke’s four.

EB’s Kendall McFalls won both the girls 100 meters (13.27) and 400 meters (1:01.18), Jesiah Rees won the boys 100 meters (11.44), and Kendale Cook claimed the boys 300-meter hurdles title (41.83).

Finishing in second place were the Cavs’ Nathan Oyola (boys high jump), Ossie Burkeen (boys long jump), Landon Minor (boys pole vault), Josh Hicks (boys 300 hurdles), and Jordan Auldredge (girls pole vault), while Harrison Shook finished third in the boys discus.

Elise Sawdy claimed both of PHS’ wins, taking the girls 1600 meters (5:48.54) and 3200 meters (12:17.11). Panthers’ runners up included Layla McGuire (girls 800 meters), Madison Turner (girls 100 hurdles), Brayleigh Huffman (girls 300 hurdles), and Hannah Huggins (girls long jump), and Julia Neihoff placed third in the girls 3200 meters.

Draughn also nabbed two wins, with Adelei Morrow claiming the girls high jump (5’0”) and Anna Cape winning the girls long jump (14’10”) and placing second in the pole vault. Henry Cooper (boys shot put) also earned a runner-up showing for the Wildcats.

And NCSSM-M’s lone winner was Stella Friedman (girls 800 meters, 2:33.29), who also finished second behind Sawdy in the 3200. The Dragons’ second-place finishers were Lilah Johnson (girls 1600 meters), Lola Wilson (girls high jump), Brayden Tody (boys 800 meters), Max Vaughan (boys 1600 meters), and Alexander Hruby (boys 3200 meters).

The North Carolina School for the Deaf competed in a meet hosted by North Lincoln on March 11, with Rivka Vincent taking seventh place in the girls shot put and 18th in the discus and Jay Urena Rodriguez placing 15th in the boys 400 meters.

And Freedom participated in a four-team meet hosted by South Caldwell on Wednesday, led by Amelia Yang’s win in the girls 1600 meters (8:29.00) and Nicholas Chiota’s win in the boys 1600 meters (5:26.78).

The Patriots’ runners up at the meet included Braylan Whisenant and Joe Tate (boys high jump; tie), Drew Rogers (girls 200 meters), Jolaina Operato (girls pole vault), and the girls 4x800-meter relay squad.

In lacrosse this past week, Patton’s boys (0-5, 0-4) lost 6-2 at nonconference Porter Ridge on March 12 and 18-3 at Asheville on Tuesday, while the girls (1-3, 1-3) fell 17-6 at Asheville on Tuesday. No Panthers’ statistics were available.

And both in-county boys golf matches scheduled for Monday were postponed, with Freedom’s host NWC match at Mimosa Hills now set for March 23 and EB’s host WPC match at Silver Creek postponed to April 13.