The Mustangs had won the first game at Robbins earlier in the season by a score of 7-2. Ledford is one of the stronger 2-A teams in the state. North Moore banged out 15 hits in defeating Ledford 8-6.
On Saturday, the Mustangs had played two extra-inning contests at Southern Alamance, defeating Graham 2-0 on the strength of a Kristen Goins two-run shot, and losing an eight-inning clash to Southern Alamance 3-2.
Against Ledford, North Moore jumped out to an early lead in the contest, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Logan Monroe drew a base on balls and then stole second. She then scored on an infield single by Jasmine Covington. Covington then scored on a double to right field by Allison Braswell. Ledford went down in order in the bottom of the first and North Moore led, 2-0.
Neither team was able to score in the second inning.
The Mustangs added another run in the top of the third inning, as Covington walked. Kristen Goins then singled to left field, and both runners advanced on an error in the field. Covington scored from third as Bianca Alsobrook grounded out to second base. Ledford scored a run in the bottom of the third, as Emily Darr led off with a single to right field, Kristin Clinard walked, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Byrd.
Darr then scored on a single to right field by Brittany Teer. However, Teer was thrown out attempting to reach second on the play, and the inning was over with the Mustangs leading by a score of 3-1.
North Moore added three more runs in the top of the fourth inning, as Brandi Chandler was safe on an infield hit, Monroe hit a single to right field, and Megan McNeill then doubled to right field, scoring both Chandler and Monroe. McNeill then scored on a single up the middle by Covington, and the Mustangs led, 6-1.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, however, Ledford rallied for four runs to narrow the gap to one run. Krista Dillard led off with a single to right field, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She advanced to third as Brook Clark grounded out to short, and then scored on a double to right-center field by Olivia Poplin. Poplin scored on a double to center field by Erica Reece.
Braswell came in to relieve Alsobrook on the mound for North Moore at that point, and was greeted by Emily Darr who homered over the left field fence, scoring two more runs for the Panthers. Braswell retired the side without further damage, but the score after four complete innings was North Moore 6, Ledford 5. Neither team was able to score in the fifth or sixth innings, and the Mustangs held on to their one-run lead.
In the top of the seventh inning, Covington led off with a single to right field. Mekia Scotton came in to run for Covington. Goins was safe at first on a fielder’s choice as Scotton was out on a force play at second. Alsobrook then doubled to left field, and Goins moved to third on the play. Shay Scotton came in to run for Alsobrook. Goins then scored on a single to right field by Angie Cruz. Scotton stole second and then scored on a single to right field by Hannah Carriker.
The Panthers threatened to turn the game around in the bottom of the seventh, as Dillard led off with a single, Clark walked, and Poplin was safe on an infield hit, loading the bases with no outs. Reece then hit into a 4-6-3 double play, and although Dillard scored on the play, the Panther’s scoring threat was squelched. Braswell got the next batter to ground out, ending the game.
Alsobrook started on the mound for the Mustangs and was credited with the win. She pitched for three and one-third innings, allowed five hits, struck out one batter and walked two. Braswell pitched three and two-thirds innings, allowed seven hits, struck out four batters and walked two.
North Moore’s record improved to 12-5 for the season. The squad leads the Yadkin Valley Conference with a 6-0 record. The Mustangs were scheduled to play South Davidson at home on Tuesday, and will play against a strong Harnett Central team at home on Thursday.
Doubleheader in Graham
Saturday, the Mustangs defeated Graham in the first contes of the day, 2-0, before facing Southern Alamance, a 3-A powerhouse, for the third time this season.
In the game against Graham, neither team was able to score until the bottom of the eighth inning, when Kristen Goins hit a home run out of the park with Angie Cruz on second to give the Mustangs a 2-0 victory.
Time after time during the course of the game, Graham had runners in scoring position, but the Mustang defense kept the Red Devils from scoring. Hannah Carriker, Jasmine Covington and Logan Monroe all performed well in the field. Bianca Alsobrook went the distance on the mound for the Mustangs, giving up six hits, striking out two batters and walking one.
North Moore, coming off the big win over Graham, came out swinging against the Patriots.
Chandler reached first on a bunt, advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a single by Monroe. Monroe then stole second. Covington then singled to score Chandler, and Monroe scored as Braswell grounded out. Goins grounded out to retire the side. After shutting the Patriots down in the bottom of the first, the Mustangs sat on top 2-0.
Neither team was able to score for the next five innings.
Southern Alamance finally scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh on a single to center field with two outs.
North Moore could not score in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, the leadoff batter for the Patriots singled to center field, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored the winning run on a single to left field.
Braswell went the distance on the mound for the Mustangs and was credited with the loss.
