And it was the home team from North Moore High School that grabbed the scintillating 2-1 nine-inning win over visiting East Wilkes High School in a second-round state playoff game.
“I don’t think we’ll meet any team that is better defensively than East Wilkes,” Mustang coach Rodney Stewart said after the game.
North Moore’s defense wasn’t too shabby, giving up just one run in the hard-fought battle.
Heidi McNeill pitched a no-hitter for eight innings before giving up three hits and a run in the top of the ninth.
Spotting the visitors from Ronda a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Mustangs rallied. Alicia Hill smacked a triple to deep left-center field with a runner on first to tie the game. North Moore loaded the bases on two infield hits, and Cardinal pitcher Shonda Pruitt gave up a base on balls to force in the winning run.
Both pitchers turned in outstanding performances. Pruitt scattered six hits while pitching eight scoreless innings for East Wilkes, striking out eight Mustang batters, and giving up two bases on balls.
McNeill’s no-hit gem was spoiled in the top of the ninth, when she gave up the three hits and the run. But the damage could have been worse. The Mustangs used two tag-outs at the plate to escape a no out, bases loaded jam.
Audrey Ingram led off the ninth with a single to left field, the Cardinals’ first hit of the night. Pruitt walked, and Joanie Blevins bunted safely to load the bases. Ingram was tagged out at home trying to score on a passed ball. Catcher Casey Wallace scrambled after the ball, and threw to McNeill in time to make the tag at the plate.
Tara Brewer hit a single to left field driving in Pruitt with the first run of the game. Then, for the second time in the inning, a runner was tagged out at the plate trying to score on a passed ball. Finally, the last batter grounded out to end the Cardinals threat, but the visitors led by a score of 1-0.
With the North Moore season hanging in the balance, the Mustangs turned up the heat, going after the Cardinal and Pruitt in the bottom of the frame.
McNeill struck out to start the bottom of the ninth, but Holly Montjoy beat out a slow roller to short, and Hill hit a triple to deep left-center field to score Montjoy from first.
Bailey Garner was safe on an infield hit, and Ashley Marley bunted safely to load the bases. Lindsay Bell then drew a base on balls, forcing in the winning run for North Moore.
McNeill’s record for the season improved to 19-4 with the win. She struck out two Cardinal batters and gave up eight bases on balls.
North Moore will play at the home of the winner of the East Surry-South Stanly game in the tournament semifinals Friday.
The game might be changed from Friday because of the fact that North Moore graduation is scheduled to be held that evening.
If they win that game, the Mustangs will be one of four regional winners that participate in a double-elimination tournament at Walnut Creek Softball Complex in Raleigh. The final four games are scheduled to begin June 1.
“All the games will be tough from here on,” Stewart said.
