By David Rogers. CONCORD, N.C. — No. 11 seeded Watauga varsity softball kept pace with No. 6 Central Cabarrus through six and half innings in their May 8 second round 6A state playoffs game, even tying the contest at 8-8 in the top of the 7th inning when Lula Elrod doubled to right, scoring teammate Savana Costner. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the Vikings were determined to finish the contest without going to extra innings, breaking the tie in the bottom of the 7th inning with a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt, the final single by Kinley Wood through the middle, plating Wellons O’Neal for the go-ahead run and “walk-off” win.
Watauga edged Central Cabarrus in the number of hits produced, 14-13, but a pair of Pioneer errors and a home run by senior Haley Rezy, as well as a pair of doubles rapped out by senior Chloe Phillips and senior Hayden Johnson may well have proved difference makers for the close outcome. Rezy smashed her dinger in the bottom of the first inning to get the Vikings started.
The Vikings scored seven of their runs early, leading 7-3 after four innings, but the Pioneers responded with a four runs in the top of the 5th inning to tie the game, leveraging a leadoff walk earned by Presli Wood, followed by a 1-out double by Cam Otto. With two outs, Sierra Costner lace a line drive single to center, then advanced to second base when the Vikings shortstop mishandled a sharp ground ball off the bat of sister Savana Costner, who was able to reach first. Lula Elrod then sent a rocket to the left field fence, scoring Sierra Costner, then a throwing error to third base allowed Savana Costner to score. The four-run 5th inning for Watauga tied the game at 7-7.
Both starting pitchers went the distance for their respective teams. The Vikings’ junior Taryn Jenkins gave up 8 runs on 14 hits, striking out nine and walking four. For the Pioneers, freshman Allison Moody gave up 9 runs (7 earned) on 13 hits, striking out two and walking three.
With the Central Cabarrus win, Watauga’s season ends with a respectable 14-12 overall record and the Vikings advance to Round 3, where they will go on the road to face Piedmont.
Key Watauga Performers
- Savana Costner (Fr.): 2-4, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 2 walks
- Presli Wood (Jr.): 2-4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, 1 walk
- Sierra Costner (Fr.): 2-5, 1 run scored, 1 stolen base
- Lula Elrod (Fr.): 3-5, 4 RBIs, 2 doubles
- Cam Otto (Soph.): 2-4, 2 runs scored, double
- Allie Ellis (Fr.): 2-4, 1 RBI
- Charlotte Moretz (Jr.): 1-4
- Roxie Elrod (Jr.): 0-3, 1 run scored, 1 walk, 1 stolen base
- Kate Rex (Jr.): 2 stolen bases
