Viking softball clinches second place
On April 30, the North Mecklenburg softball team secured a critical 5-0 victory over rival Hopewell. The win captured the second seed out of the I-MECK 4A conference for the state playoffs, which is set to begin the week of May 17.
“It was a big win to wrap up second place and get at least one home game for the playoffs,” said a relieved North Meck coach Paul Kikta. “The Hopewell-North Meck rivalry game always makes you nervous and this year there were nine seniors on our squad and seven seniors on their side so it was real gratifying to win.”
North Meck pitcher Morgan Lashley dominated a pitching duel against Hopewell standout hurler Lindsey Russell. Lashley struck out the first 10 Titans she faced, finishing with 15 K’s and allowing just two hits for the complete-game shutout. Russell was also strong early, deftly fielding several comebackers to end Viking scoring threats, but a North Meck five-run sixth inning was the difference in the game.
“(Lashely’s) had a lot of movement on her pitches and a wicked, wicked rise ball,” said Hopewell coach Cheryl Burwell. “I guess you could say she outfoxed us today.”
With their final regular-season game against Mooresville on Friday, May 6, now a simple formality, the Vikings (17-3, 10-2 in the I-MECK) can breathe a sigh of relief after holding off the Titans’ charge up the league standings.
Hopewell, however, can’t dwell long on the loss. After the Viking game, the Titans found themselves in a battle with Mooresville for third place. Hopewell split its two-game series with the Blue Devils and the Titans still have games against cellar dwellers Mallard Creek and Vance. The Blue Devils’ record is also 8-4 in the I-MECK, with Hough (May 3) and North Meck (Friday, May 6) remaining.
The I-MECK softball tournament will be held next week. The tournament is just for bragging rights and will not affect 4A state playoff seeding. The first round is held at the home of the higher seed. The second round and finals are scheduled at Hough High School.

by Chris Hunt and Aaron Burns

On April 30, the North Mecklenburg softball team secured a critical 5-0 victory over rival Hopewell. The win captured the second seed out of the I-MECK 4A conference for the state playoffs, which is set to begin the week of May 17.

“It was a big win to wrap up second place and get at least one home game for the playoffs,” said a relieved North Meck coach Paul Kikta. “The Hopewell-North Meck rivalry game always makes you nervous and this year there were nine seniors on our squad and seven seniors on their side so it was real gratifying to win.”

North Meck pitcher Morgan Lashley dominated a pitching duel against Hopewell standout hurler Lindsey Russell. Lashley struck out the first 10 Titans she faced, finishing with 15 K’s and allowing just two hits for the complete-game shutout. Russell was also strong early, deftly fielding several comebackers to end Viking scoring threats, but a North Meck five-run sixth inning was the difference in the game.

“(Lashely’s) had a lot of movement on her pitches and a wicked, wicked rise ball,” said Hopewell coach Cheryl Burwell. “I guess you could say she outfoxed us today.”

With their final regular-season game against Mooresville on Friday, May 6, now a simple formality, the Vikings (17-3, 10-2 in the I-MECK) can breathe a sigh of relief after holding off the Titans’ charge up the league standings.

Hopewell, however, can’t dwell long on the loss. After the Viking game, the Titans found themselves in a battle with Mooresville for third place. Hopewell split its two-game series with the Blue Devils and the Titans still have games against cellar dwellers Mallard Creek and Vance. The Blue Devils’ record is also 8-4 in the I-MECK, with Hough (May 3) and North Meck (Friday, May 6) remaining.

The I-MECK softball tournament will be held next week. The tournament is just for bragging rights and will not affect 4A state playoff seeding. The first round is held at the home of the higher seed. The second round and finals are scheduled at Hough High School.