2017 North Carolina High School Softball State Championship (2A/4A)

What To Watch For At The NCHSAA Softball State Championships

What To Watch For At The NCHSAA Softball State Championships

What to watch for at the NCHSAA Softball Championship on FloSoftball.

Jun 1, 2017 by Chez Sievers
What To Watch For At The NCHSAA Softball State Championships
From June 2-3 FloSoftball will broadcast the NCHSAA Softball State Championships from Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina. 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A divisions will battle for the state championship LIVE on FloSoftball.

"The crowd is great especially when we get into the playoffs. Our community, they really support us. It's a packed house at every game. If we have a game a 7:00, we have fans setting up chairs at 10:00 in the morning." said Coach Jeff McPhail, Cape Fear head coach.  

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What To Watch For At The North Carolina High School State Championship


1A Division State Championship (Raleigh)


Whiteville (23-5)
When:  Friday 6/2 at 5 PM vs North Stanly, Saturday 6/3 at 11 AM vs North Stanly
Why:  With a 23-5 record, the Wolfpack are led in the circle by junior pitcher Ivy Hayes who has accumulated a 1.88 ERA with 157 strike outs. Expect junior shortstop Kourtney Grainger to be one of the key performers at the plate.  "(A) state championship wouldn't be just for these 14 girls. It's for all the female athletes here at the school, and for all the female athletes here in Columbus County." head coach Olivia Scott told Telemundo Amarillo

North Stanly (23-5-1)
When:  Friday 6/2 at 5 PM vs Whiteville, Saturday 6/3 at 11 AM vs Whiteville
Why:  The Comets have built a .405 team batting average with 23-5-1 record. Look for senior captain Alex Sells to step up with a .540 batting average, 24 RBI, and .612 on-base percentage. Senior captain shortstop is the leading base stealer on the team with 22 steals. With a 1.01 staff ERA, expect a freshman/senior combo in the circle with Merris Talbert, Payton Landis, and Sam Hogan.

2A Division State Championship (Greensboro)


South Granville (26-0)
When:  Friday 6/2 7:30 PM vs Parkwood, Saturday 6/3 at 2 PM vs Parkwood
Why:  Coach Jackie Day leads an undefeated Vikings squad into the Championship series against Parkwood. The Vikings are well balanced with strong pitching from senior pitcher Miranda Barker with a 0.88 ERA, two perfect games, 209 K and an opponent's batting average of .119.  Not only is Barker a beast in the circle, she can also swing the bat leading the team in batting average (.609) and RBIs (49). Expect lots of offense from junior catcher Megan White and freshman Ally Gross combined for 88 RBIs. The team has a combined batting average .481 and 49 steals on the season. From their freshman to seniors, the Vikings have big game experience. People should expect to see enthusiasm, self-discipline, aggressiveness at the plate, and hard defensive plays.

Parkwood  (25-2)
When:  Friday 6/2 at 7:30 PM vs South Granville, Saturday 6/3 at 2 PM vs South Granville
Why:  Expect junior pitcher Caroline Ruth to be a key factor in the Championship. The junior has recorded 226 strike outs with a 1.00 ERA. Another pitcher/hitter Ruth has a .384 batting average, 21 RBI and 4 home runs. Freshman third baseman and junior outfielder Pierce Barnes will be tough outs at the plate both batting over .400 for the season and 20 plus RBIs.

3A Division State Championship (Raleigh)


Orange (24-3) 
When:  Friday 6/2 at 7:30 PM vs Piedmont, Saturday 6/3 at 2 PM vs Piedmont
Why:  The Panthers will look to senior Kristina Givens in the circle with a 1.40 ERA and 122 strike outs on the season. Mississippi State signee Mia Davidson is having a heck of season batting .537 with a .762 on-base percentage, 48 RBI, 11 home runs and 10 doubles. Freshman first baseman Jaden Hurdle has stepped up batting .451 with 37 RBI.

Piedmont (24-3)
When:  Friday 6/2 at 7:30 PM vs Orange, Saturday 6/3 at 2 PM vs Orange
Why:  Junior Gracie Rape is the ace in the circle with the most games started and a 1.41 ERA with 150 strikeouts. Expect junior shortstop Kristen DelBene, freshman Avery Bellai, and Kyrah Phelix to major factors to the Panther offense. DelBene leads the team in RBI (36). Phelix is leads the team in stolen bases (26) so expect her to put pressure on the defense. DelBene and Bellai are the RBI leaders combining for 67 RBIs.  

4A Division Division State Championship (Greensboro)


Cape Fear (28-1)
When:  Friday 6/2 at 5 PM vs North Davidson, Saturday 6/3 at 11 AM vs North Davidson
Why:  The Colts knows how to crush the ball with .452 batting average and 333 runs scored on the season. They come with plenty of speed this season stealing nearly 100 bases. Campbell-signee Bri Bryant has ben in beast mode all season with a .644 batting average, 72 RBI, 10 home runs, 17 doubles, and 12 stolen bases. With .462 batting average and 47 RBI, junior third baseman has been crushing it on offense. In the circle, freshman Mackenzie Peters stepped in like a season veteran leading the Colts in strike outs (111) holding a 2.04 ERA and an opponent's batting average of .188. Sophomore pitcher Katie Murphy and senior pitcher Kaitlyn Knuckles will definitely share innings as they take on North Davidson.

 
North Davidson (27-5)
When:  5 PM vs Cape Fear, Saturday 6/3 at 11 AM vs Cape Fear
Why:  Coach Mike Lambros has had both a challenging and gratifying season with the Knights as he is battling pancreatic cancer.  "No matter what the situation is with me this always an amazing feat," Lambros told Winston Salem Jounal. "You go through it with your coaches and you go through it with your players, and it's just an amazing feat, no matter what's going on. But right now, it's just what gives me life." Expect freshman Regan Spencer and senior Katie McNeil to share time in the cirlce. Spencer is 6-foot with a 1.84 ERA and 92 strike outs. McNeil is putting up good numbers with 1.69 ERA and 110 strike outs. Expect Faith Jarvis to steal bases,  the speedster stole 32 bases with a .505 batting average. "The chance to play for a state championship for anybody -- it means the world to the kids," Lambros said. "I'm more about: this is for our community, this is for our kids and their families."