Panthers sweep Maiden

Thursday's local roundup

Staff Reports

Erika Pratt had another rocket shot home run, Ashlyn Pope struck out a herd of batters and Hibriten's softball team completed the season sweep of Maiden with a 6-2 win in 10 innings on the road. Hibriten had not beaten the perennially strong Blue Devils in CVAC play prior to this year.

Hibriten (16-5 overall, 13-3 CVAC) led 2-0 into the bottom of the seventh, but the Devils (8-7 CVAC) rallied for two runs to tie the game. The teams remained tied until the 10th when Hibriten reeled off four runs on consecutive hits by Pratt, Kayla Brown, Emily Mills and Hannah Stephens.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the third when Bailey Goble hit an RBI-single. In the fourth, Pratt hit a bomb to left field that rivals few Hibriten coach Jim Blanton has seen. It soared over Maiden's deep fence.

“She's strong,” Blanton said of his sophomore power hitter. “Not only strong, but she has such quick hands.”

Pope pitched a complete game, allowed seven hits and walked four. She struck out 15, giving her 31 the last two games and 181 for the season.

Pratt and Goble finished 3-for-5 at the plate. Stephens and Krista Sumpter were 2-for-5.

Hibriten, which leads the CVAC's 2-A teams, hosts Bandys Tuesday and Hickory Thursday to close out the regular season.

Soccer

Panthers roll past Maiden

The Hibriten soccer team improved to 11-9-1 overall and 10-6 in the CVAC Thursday with a 11-0 win at Maiden.

Sarah Gibbons led the Panthers with three goals, while Emily Carter and Jenny McCrary had two each. Other goals were scored by Rebecca Smith, Holli Schwartz, Kayla Stamey and Biz Franzen.

The win followed Hibriten's 10-0 win over Bunker Hill Tuesday when Stamey scored three goals, Schwart, Gibbons and Hallie Hilliard two apiece and Smith 1.

Keeper Victoria Hedrick notched both shutouts.

The Panther JV team won 8-0 over Maiden Thursday. Mollie Sinclair, Krystal Herndon and Nathaly Castro scored two goals each. Sasha Lingle and Kenia Avila had the other two. Avila and PQ Liu combined for the shutout.

The Panthers host Bandys and Hickory next Tuesday and Thursday, respectively to close out the regular season.

Warriors fall in OT

The West Caldwell soccer team led 1-0 for much of Thursday's match with Newton-Conover, but lost 2-1 in overtime when Rebecca Love scored during the second 10-minute extra period. Red Devil Lauren Swink tied the game with 15 minutes left in regulation.

West Caldwell took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Kasey Gragg, but narrowly missed what would have been one of its best wins of the year.

West is 3-13 in the CVAC. Newton-Conover is 9-6-1. The Warriors play at St. Stephens Tuesday.

Tennis

Panthers lose

The Hibriten tennis team lost a home match to St. Stephens Thursday 6-3.

Panther No. 1 seed Avery Nelson and No. 6 seed Wesley Bradford posted singles wins for Hibriten, which fell to 10-3 overall and 6-3 in the CVAC. The No. 1 doubles tandem of Nelson with Huntley Nero also won.

The CVAC tournament is next on the Panther calendar. It's set for next Wednesday and Thursday.

Warriors fall 7-2

The West Caldwell tennis team dropped a 7-2 match to Patton Thursday.

Will Wilson and Keon McKissick posted the lone wins for the Warriors at the No. 2 and No. 3 singles spots, respectively.

The Warriors are 3-4 in the CVAC and 6-9 overall.

MS Baseball

Hudson wins 15-5

Hudson defeated William Lenoir by a 15-5 score Thursday and improved to 10-0 on the season. Bryson Bowman pitched five strong innings for Hudson, striking out seven and allowing just one hit and one run in the winning effort. Steven Greer closed the game out with two strikeouts in the sixth.

Dylan Poarch led Hudson at the plate with a 2-for-3 day, including a homer and a double. Bowman also had a double.

Hudson returns to action next Thursday against East Alexander.

MS Soccer

WLMS wins 7-0

The William Lenoir soccer team defeated Hudson 7-0 Thursday to move to 6-0-1 on the year.

Elizabeth Baker and Brooke Crouse had two goals apiece for WLMS. Other goals were scored by Brittany Bolger, Aimee Sinclair and Mekayla Wyke.

Macy Franklin had two assists and Wyke, Jennifer Younce, Lora Arnette and Emily Conn had one each.

Aleigha Patterson was in-goal for the shutout.

WLMS plays at West Alexander Tuesday.