by Chris Hunt

The Vikings got 15 strikeouts from pitcher Morgan Lashley to win a cross-town showdown at Hopewell, 4-0, on April 4. Lashley was crafty in the pitching circle, working out of jams in the second and sixth innings, and striking out three batters in three different innings.

“Morgan’s stuff was on tonight, obviously,” said North Mecklenburg coach Paul Kikta. “It’s kind of how she’s been doing all season. She can work out of jams. She’s tough to hit when the ball is moving like that.”

Third baseman Erin Lehnart hit a home run to right field in her first at bat. Lashley knocked in the second run with a groundout, more than enough to hand Hopewell its third loss of the season.

Hopewell is now 10-3, 2-3 in the I-MECK 4A conference. With the win, North Mecklenburg improved to 10-2, 6-1.