Panthers clip Lady Chargers in rare meeting
Posted on April 20, 2022
With both teams coming off spring break and nearly everyone else on it this week, varsity softball teams from North Johnston and Wilson Christian put together a quick home-and-home series, starting with Tuesday’s game at WCA’s Turnage Athletic Complex.
Perhaps only slightly less rusty, the Panthers of the NCHSAA 2-A Neuse 6 Conference played error-free defense on the way to a 9-4 win in their first game since April 5. Wilson Christian, the NCCSA 2-A runner-up last season that also last played April 5, matched North Johnston with 11 hits but committed three errors that played a role in the Lady Chargers’ first loss in their last seven games.
“We had a few unlucky breaks, but more importantly, we had several untimely errors that proved costly tonight,” said Lady Chargers head coach Carrie Reynell. “It’s good for us to face these kinds of teams to help us identify areas in which we can improve as we prepare for the playoffs in a few weeks. Hopefully we can learn from tonight, and make some adjustments for Thursday’s second match up.”
The rematch is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. at North Johnston.
Both teams hit the ball well Tuesday but North Johnston junior Emily Wall fared better in her seven innings in the pitching circle than did WCA senior Jennifer Edmondson. Both hurlers ceded 11 hits but Wall didn’t walk a batter and her defense was spot-on. Edmondson walked three and struck out nine as seven of her nine runs were earned.
“We didn’t have great approaches at the plate tonight, and unfortunately didn’t make adjustments until later in the game,” Reynell said. “Wall, however, did a great job of moving the ball and hitting her spots.”
Katie McBryde led the Lady Chargers with a 3-for-3 night at the plate that included two RBIs. Emma Mercer doubled and tripled and scored a run while junior Holland Miller slugged a solo home run. Kendall Sykes drove in a run.
Logan Hodge had the big bat for the Panthers (6-4) with a double and a triple in three at-bats while driving in four runs and scoring three. Kaleigh Hughart was 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs while Wall and Victoria Sasser each had two hits and knocked in a run.
Score by innings:
NJ 203 004 0 — 9
WCA 010 102 0 — 4
WP-Emily Wall 7 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO. LP-Jennifer Edmondson 7 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO.
LEADING HITTERS — North Johnston: Kaleigh Hughart 3-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Logan Hodge 2-3, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 4 RBIs; Emily Wall 2-3, 2 R, RBI; Victoria Sasser 2-4, RBI. Wilson Christian: Katie McBryde 3-3, R, 2 RBIs; Emma Mercer 2-3, 2B, 3B, R; Kendall Sykes 1-3, RBI; Holland Miller 1-4, HR, RBI.
Posted on April 20, 2022
With both teams coming off spring break and nearly everyone else on it this week, varsity softball teams from North Johnston and Wilson Christian put together a quick home-and-home series, starting with Tuesday’s game at WCA’s Turnage Athletic Complex.
Perhaps only slightly less rusty, the Panthers of the NCHSAA 2-A Neuse 6 Conference played error-free defense on the way to a 9-4 win in their first game since April 5. Wilson Christian, the NCCSA 2-A runner-up last season that also last played April 5, matched North Johnston with 11 hits but committed three errors that played a role in the Lady Chargers’ first loss in their last seven games.
“We had a few unlucky breaks, but more importantly, we had several untimely errors that proved costly tonight,” said Lady Chargers head coach Carrie Reynell. “It’s good for us to face these kinds of teams to help us identify areas in which we can improve as we prepare for the playoffs in a few weeks. Hopefully we can learn from tonight, and make some adjustments for Thursday’s second match up.”
The rematch is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. at North Johnston.
Both teams hit the ball well Tuesday but North Johnston junior Emily Wall fared better in her seven innings in the pitching circle than did WCA senior Jennifer Edmondson. Both hurlers ceded 11 hits but Wall didn’t walk a batter and her defense was spot-on. Edmondson walked three and struck out nine as seven of her nine runs were earned.
“We didn’t have great approaches at the plate tonight, and unfortunately didn’t make adjustments until later in the game,” Reynell said. “Wall, however, did a great job of moving the ball and hitting her spots.”
Katie McBryde led the Lady Chargers with a 3-for-3 night at the plate that included two RBIs. Emma Mercer doubled and tripled and scored a run while junior Holland Miller slugged a solo home run. Kendall Sykes drove in a run.
Logan Hodge had the big bat for the Panthers (6-4) with a double and a triple in three at-bats while driving in four runs and scoring three. Kaleigh Hughart was 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs while Wall and Victoria Sasser each had two hits and knocked in a run.
Score by innings:
NJ 203 004 0 — 9
WCA 010 102 0 — 4
WP-Emily Wall 7 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO. LP-Jennifer Edmondson 7 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO.
LEADING HITTERS — North Johnston: Kaleigh Hughart 3-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Logan Hodge 2-3, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 4 RBIs; Emily Wall 2-3, 2 R, RBI; Victoria Sasser 2-4, RBI. Wilson Christian: Katie McBryde 3-3, R, 2 RBIs; Emma Mercer 2-3, 2B, 3B, R; Kendall Sykes 1-3, RBI; Holland Miller 1-4, HR, RBI.
