GASTONIA – After getting Gaston College s softball program started in the 2022 season, Mike Steuerwald and his staff of Lani Ries, Jessica Beck and Bethany Doty had a small roster
PETER PETROFF
Special to the Independent Tribune
CONCORD â On Monday night, the 15th-seeded East Rowan softball team came away with a 1-0, extra-inning victory over second-seeded Central Cabarrus to advance to the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
Each squadâs team/captain pitcher dominated throughout. Neither Mustangs senior Haley Strange nor Vikings junior Brantleigh Parrott allowed an earned run. Strange only gave up three hits and had 16 strikeouts. Parrott, meanwhile, only allowed a single hit and had 17 strikeouts, and had at least one strikeout in every inning.
âIt was a pitcherâs duel,â said Vikings coach Charlie Blackwelder. âIt was going to come down to who scored first.â
JOE HABINA
Special to the Independent Tribune
CONCORD â The Central Cabarrus softball team has some unfinished business in clinching the South Piedmont 3A Conference regular-season championship, but the Vikings took a big step toward wrapping it up at Cox Mill on Thursday.
First-place Central Cabarrus scored five runs over the final two innings to break open a tie game and push ahead for an 11-7 road victory over the second-place Chargers.
Cassidy Wall (3) beats the tag at second during Thursday evening softball against Central Cabarrus. Todd Maulden/Special to the Independent Tribune
The Vikings are 7-0 in conference play (7-1 overall) with three games left, while Cox Mill is 7-2 in the SPC (7-3) with just one game to play.