Fayetteville Christian beats Freedom for NCISAA softball title
The Warriors broke out for a four-run fourth inning in the final game of the tournament.
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Staff writer
KINSTON — Entering the weekend’s NCISAA 2-A state softball tournament, just two losses marred Fayetteville Christian’s record, both regular-season stumbles against defending state champion Freedom Christian.
The Warriors got the final say in the series Saturday, winning the state title with a 7-2 victory over the Patriots at host school Parrott Academy.
First-year coach Denzel Wallace called the win a total team effort.
“We have players that stood out, but it was a catch here or a catch there,” Wallace said. “It wasn’t just the star players, it was one through nine that was able to have an impact on the game, and that’s what helped us win.”
Fayetteville Christian (16-3) entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed behind Freedom (22-6).
After each won in the first two rounds, the teams met in the third round Friday night, when Fayetteville Christian won 7-3 to reach the final and send the Patriots to the consolation bracket.
Freedom won its first game Saturday, sending Harrells Christian home, and beat the Warriors 6-2 to force the “if” game to decide the state title.
Wallace said he’d spent the week ahead of the tournament preaching the importance of small ball to his team, focusing on moving runners along to make opposing defenses work.
“We practiced the whole week on being able to move runners, getting bunts down and being able to put pressure on the defense,” Wallace said. “I think that was one of the keys to helping us win this whole tournament.”
The Warriors did benefit from a breakout fourth inning in the final game, scoring four runs in the frame to take a 6-2 lead.
Morgan Hatchell and shortstop Natalie Nieto reached, setting the stage for third baseman Destiny Smith, who drove a double to the outfield wall to plate both runners.
“That got us going, and then our five through nine hitters were able to step up and get on base,” Wallace said. “I think we did a great job of executing our game plan, which was to not start swinging until we got a strike.”
Freedom coach Elmer Mason said the players were able to hit the ball but found the Fayetteville Christian defense over and over again.
“We hit the ball well, and I’m proud of the way our girls hit against a very good pitcher,” Mason said. “It came down to the No 1 and the No 2, and our girls believed with up until the very last out. They never quit.”
Hatchell, the Warriors sophomore pitcher, earned NCISAA 2-A Player of the Year honors. She’s been an unwavering presence on the mound throughout the season, and her turn in the tournament was no exception.
“She led us this weekend, pitching 28 innings in two days,” Wallace said. “Every pitch we had, she threw. Coming back and pitching in back-to-back games today, more than anything, that showed her heart.”
The Warriors broke out for a four-run fourth inning in the final game of the tournament.
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Staff writer
KINSTON — Entering the weekend’s NCISAA 2-A state softball tournament, just two losses marred Fayetteville Christian’s record, both regular-season stumbles against defending state champion Freedom Christian.
The Warriors got the final say in the series Saturday, winning the state title with a 7-2 victory over the Patriots at host school Parrott Academy.
First-year coach Denzel Wallace called the win a total team effort.
“We have players that stood out, but it was a catch here or a catch there,” Wallace said. “It wasn’t just the star players, it was one through nine that was able to have an impact on the game, and that’s what helped us win.”
Fayetteville Christian (16-3) entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed behind Freedom (22-6).
After each won in the first two rounds, the teams met in the third round Friday night, when Fayetteville Christian won 7-3 to reach the final and send the Patriots to the consolation bracket.
Freedom won its first game Saturday, sending Harrells Christian home, and beat the Warriors 6-2 to force the “if” game to decide the state title.
Wallace said he’d spent the week ahead of the tournament preaching the importance of small ball to his team, focusing on moving runners along to make opposing defenses work.
“We practiced the whole week on being able to move runners, getting bunts down and being able to put pressure on the defense,” Wallace said. “I think that was one of the keys to helping us win this whole tournament.”
The Warriors did benefit from a breakout fourth inning in the final game, scoring four runs in the frame to take a 6-2 lead.
Morgan Hatchell and shortstop Natalie Nieto reached, setting the stage for third baseman Destiny Smith, who drove a double to the outfield wall to plate both runners.
“That got us going, and then our five through nine hitters were able to step up and get on base,” Wallace said. “I think we did a great job of executing our game plan, which was to not start swinging until we got a strike.”
Freedom coach Elmer Mason said the players were able to hit the ball but found the Fayetteville Christian defense over and over again.
“We hit the ball well, and I’m proud of the way our girls hit against a very good pitcher,” Mason said. “It came down to the No 1 and the No 2, and our girls believed with up until the very last out. They never quit.”
Hatchell, the Warriors sophomore pitcher, earned NCISAA 2-A Player of the Year honors. She’s been an unwavering presence on the mound throughout the season, and her turn in the tournament was no exception.
“She led us this weekend, pitching 28 innings in two days,” Wallace said. “Every pitch we had, she threw. Coming back and pitching in back-to-back games today, more than anything, that showed her heart.”
