West Wilkes softball secures G1 of the 3A softball championship series over McMichael

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Last year, defending champion West Wilkes had to outlast McMichael in 12 innings to reach the 2A West regional final.

They met again in Game 1 of the NCHSAA 3A softball state championship Friday, making for another dramatic finish in a smaller package.

West Wilkes came from behind to defeat McMichael 9-7 and take a 1-0 series advantage.

Trailing 7-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Blackhawks notched five runs on four hits, including a two-run homer by Leah Greene to put them in front.

“I hadn’t hit too well in a while, so it was definitely a breakthrough point for me,” Greene said. “I’m just glad I could pull through for the team.”

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The game’s momentum had swung McMichael’s direction before the Blackhawks’ crucial batting turn.

Pitching woes began to haunt the Blackhawks in the top of the sixth inning. Junior Ellie Southern getting hit by a pitch, an error, and a walk loaded the bases and prompted a pitching change from starter Kelsey Madden to freshman Peyton Cockerham. Then, Ryleigh Cope landed an RBI single to tie the game at four runs apiece. With one out, Wilson lined out, allowing Kortnie Fletcher to tag up for the lead. Ingle and Redmon followed with consecutive RBIs to put the Phoenix ahead 7-4.

“Peyton had to come in in a big situation,” West Wilkes coach Michael Woodruff said.

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Prior to the Blackhawks' chance to respond, Woodruff asked his team to “get it even.”

“Gotta have great at-bats,” Woodruff told his girls. “Let’s even this thing up. We’ll win in the seventh.”

Zoey Woodruff started the inning with a walk. Madden smashed a double, sending Woodruff to third base, then Kaylee Pilkenton (double) and Addison Neuens (single) recorded consecutive RBIs to bring West Wilkes within one run.

During Greene’s game-changing at-bat, Neuens stole second base, and Ava Cayton, who was a pinch runner for Pilkenton, tied the game on a passed ball.

“They went above and beyond and got me five,” Woodruff said.

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The Blackhawks’ defense didn’t allow any McMichael batters to reach base in the top of the seventh, and Cockerham landed the final out with a strikeout.

To start the game, Neuens smashed a double to center field and scored Woodruff for the Blackhawks’ first run in the bottom of the first inning.

With McMichael down 1-0 in the top of the third inning, Western Carolina commit Lindsay Redmon sent a double to left center field, scoring Olivia Wilson and Kora Ingle for the lead.

But West Wilkes stormed back in the bottom of the fourth. Cockerham started the inning with a solo homer to center field, tying the game at two runs apiece. In the following at-bat, Greene notched a double, and Aubrianna Nichols sent her home for the lead with an RBI single. With the help of Kendall Wayne getting hit by a pitch and an intentional walk for Woodruff, the Blackhawks loaded the bases. Facing two outs on a 3-2 count, Redmon walked Pilkenton, sending Nichols home for a 4-2 advantage.

Greene finished the night 2 for 2 with two runs and two RBIs. Woodruff, who was walked twice, went 2 for 2 with two runs, and Addison Neuens also logged two RBIs while going 2 for 4. Cockerham went 2 for 3.

West champion West Wilkes is now one win away from repeating. The Blackhawks, making their third state championship appearance, are undefeated in the championship series as they won it all in 2013.

McMichael, representing the East, is making its first state championship appearance. The Phoenix will look to come out on top in Saturday’s Game 2 to keep their title hopes alive.

Game 2 will begin at UNCG at 2 p.m.

West Wilkes’ Kelsey Madden and McMichael’s Lizzie Wilson earned the Sportsmanship Awards.

Box Score

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