McMichael softball stays alive in state championship series. When is game three?
McMichael softball wasn't ready to pack up its championship hopes just yet.
The Phoenix (25-5) subdued West Wilkes (26-2), 6-5, in game two of the best-of-3 3A NC state championship series on Saturday. With the win in UNCG's softball stadium, the Phoenix tied the series, 1-1, and play the winner-take-all Saturday at 5 pm.
The Blackhawks scored first. Zoey Woodruff singled and quickly scored off Kelsey Madden's double to the left field corner. McMichael pitcher Lindsay Redmon walked Peyton Cockerham - who finished with a double, home run and walk on Friday - but got out of the jam to escape only down 1-0.
The Phoenix weren't prepared to roll over. Junior shortstop Olivia Wilson's would-be groundout was bobbled by the first baseman to give Wilson time to tag the base.
Momentum built. Junior third baseman Kora Ingle singled to right field, immediately followed by Redmon's RBI single to score Wilson.
Sophomore second baseman Ava Harris added a double to score Ingle, then junior first baseman Ellie Southern, who went 1-for-4 on Friday, rocketed a two-run homer over the centerfield fence.
McMichael grabbed a 4-1 lead, but its bats weren't finished.
In the bottom of the third, another would-be groundout, this time by Redmon, was bobbled by the third baseman and allowed her to reach. Freshman Josie Tucker stepped in to pinch-run for Redmon and took advantage of a fielder's choice error and Lizzie Wilson's double to run for home. Tucker celebrated a little too soon, just missing tagging the plate, but West Wilkes didn't notice before the freshman recovered.
Freshman outfielder Gabby Schlosser's base hit scored Lizzie Wilson, and the Phoenix left the inning up 6-1.
After three-straight silent innings, West Wilkes closed some of the gap in the top of the fifth.
McMichael's first error of the afternoon, bobbling an infield groundball allowed Kelsey Madden to tag up. Aubrianna Nichols' double over the heads of the Phoenix outfielders scored Madden, and two batters later, the outfield lost sight of Leah Greene's fly ball, allowing Nichols to score.
Entering the final two innings, the Blackhawks trailed 6-3.
After the McMichael offense couldn't provide any further insurance runs, it was up to the defense.
Redmon walked leadoff hitter Kaylee Pikenton, forced a pop out and then walked Cockerham. But the top of the West Wilkes' lineup wasn't finished.
Greene singled to load the bases. Addison Neuens' groundout scored Pikenton, and stacked with Kendall Wayne's single to short center field, the Blackhawks trailed 6-5 with runners on the corners.
Ingle, at third base, made a leaning save to grab the final pop out and keep McMichael alive.
The first pitch of game three came after deadline, so check greensboro.com to find out who lifted the trophy Saturday night.
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