South Caldwell takes Game 1 of 6A softball series

DURHAM, N.C. — New classification, same results. Well, at least one step closer to the same result.

South Caldwell is on a quest for back-to-back state championships. After winning the 4A title a year ago, the Spartans are one win away from a NCHSAA 6A championship. South Caldwell, the champions out of the west, defeated east champion Union Pines, 5-2, Friday night at Smith Family Stadium on the campus of Duke University.

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Spartans senior catcher Mcartney Harrington hit a grand slam in the top of the fourth inning, and South Caldwell held off a comeback attempt in the sixth inning by Union Pines.

Game 2 of the series will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday. If the Spartans get the win in game two, it will be their third state championship in school history.

Getting Game 1 out the way was crucial for Harrington and company.

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“It adds a little confidence going into game two,” Harrington said. “We can go into the box more confident, which always helps with approach at bat.”

Harrington did not lack confidence her first time at the plate.

In the top of the third South Caldwell loaded the bases with no outs on the board. Union Pines caught somewhat of a break when McKenna Yount popped out. However, the good fortune for the Vikings did not last long. Harrington, the next batter, hit a grand slam, quickly putting four runs on the board.

To their credit, the Union Pines defense battled to get the final two outs, but the Spartans landed the first knockout punch of the contest. That jolt was felt throughout the lineup.

“As a team I think it added excitement and fuel to the fire,” Harrington said. “For me, it added confidence in my approaches.”

The next time Harrington, the Clemson commit, came to bat,in the top of the fifth the Vikings intentionally walked her. The move paid off as South Caldwell popped out to right field for the final out of that inning.

Union Pines wouldn’t go away easily. In the top of sixth, the Vikings got into a groove, loading the bases with just one out.

Avery Jessup calmly drove in the first run for Union Pines with a single, making it a three-run game with bases still loaded.

The Vikings got a gift in the form of an error at first base for their next run, cutting the Spartans lead to two, with runners on second and third. Maddy Moore got South Caldwell out of the inning when she struck out Serena McCutchen.

The Spartans needed to establish some breathing room in the top of the seventh, but things didn’t get off to a good start as the first two batters popped out. Instead of walking Harringon again, Union Pines pitched to her, and she delivered, hitting a single to right field. Maddy Moore scored Harrington with a triple to make it 5-2 heading into the bottom half of the seventh.

The game was about as even as it could be. Both teams had seven hits. Union Pines finished with one more error than South Caldwell. Outside of the third inning, the Vikings pitching and defense was solid. The Spartans, though, made a couple of extra plays, offensively and defensively, that were needed to get over the hump.

“What’s carried for us all year is our positive attitude,” South Caldwell head coach Casey Justice said. “We’ll correct something defensively, but we are who we are at this point. We’re going to go with 13 (Moore) in the circle (pitching) and hope we hit a whole lot.”

Sportsmanship Award: Before the game SC Alexis Whisnant of South Caldwell and UP Emily Auman of Union Pines were recognized as the Sportsmanship Award winners.

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Box Score

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