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Randleman baseball Hunter Atkins v Trinity May2023

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference spring lists

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Hunter Atkins of Randleman takes a swing during a Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament game against Trinity. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for spring sports:

Baseball

Player of the Year: Hunter Atkins (Randleman)

Co-Pitchers of the Year: Austin Lemons (Randleman), Cade Hill (Trinity)

Coach of the Year: Ryan Spencer (Trinity)

All-conference

Randleman: Hunter Atkins, Austin Lemons, Shawn Miller, Seth Way.

Trinity: Jaxson Coble, Cade Hill, Jake Little, Landon Mowery.

Southwestern Randolph: Easton Clapp, Adam Cole, Tyler Parks.

Wheatmore: Payton Mooney, Mason Rich.

Providence Grove: Joe Coltrane, Logan Fox, Andrew Thomas.

Eastern Randolph: Samuel Asbill, Stratton Barwick, Ethan Frye.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Carter Brown, Jake Hunter, Walker Wilkins.

 

Boys’ golf

Player of the Year: Connor Carter (Eastern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Pete Kilcullen (Wheatmore)

All-conference

Wheatmore: Hunter Marshall, Ryan Marshall, Jayden Martin.

Providence Grove: Brandon Davis, Seth Turner, Cooper Wright.

Randleman: Justin Jackson, Mason Millikan.

Trinity: Bo Earnhardt, Ethan Earnhardt.

Eastern Randolph: Connor Carter.

 

Softball

Co-Players of the Year: Addie Flinchum (Eastern Randolph), Emma Mazzarone (Providence Grove)

Pitcher of the Year: Macie Crutchfield (Southwestern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Chad Whitson (Southwestern Randolph)

All-conference

Providence Grove: Maddie Flinchum, Devon Kelly, Callie Lambert, Emma Mazzarone.

Southwestern Randolph: Macie Crutchfield, Alley Lowe, Ky Perdue, Madelyn Smith, Maddie Strider, Madison Varner, Carleigh Whitson.

Eastern Randolph: Logan Beaver, Addie Flinchum, Lanie McDaniel, Ayanna Mears, Skylar Pugh, Ziera Watson.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Kynley Brewer, Molly Bulla.

Randleman: Jordan Booker, Kadie Greene.

Wheatmore: Carmen Turgeon.

Wheatmore’s Summer Bowman heads a ball during the Class 2-A state playoffs in a girls’ soccer game vs. Wilkes Central. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Girls’ soccer

Offensive Player of the Year: Ellie Garrison (Wheatmore)

Defensive of the Year: Natalie Bowman (Wheatmore)

Coach of the Year: Jimmy Walker (Southwestern Randolph)

All-conference

Wheatmore: Natalie Bowman, Summer Bowman, Shea Driggers, Ellie Garrison, Maggie Messner, Izabella Ringley, Mikalah Walls.

Southwestern Randolph: Macy Allred, Madison Blankenship, Sadie Mabe, Macy Walker.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Ava Cugino, Alexis Marion, Jazmin Palma.

Providence Grove: Jenny Banuelos, Brooke Ingram, Aaliyah Loveday, Alisa Shaw, Taryn Waugh.

Trinity: Deanna Cobb, Autumn Gentry.

Randleman: Emily Jaramillo Avila, Kendall Fortson, Estefania Jaimes.

Eastern Randolph: Cora Sparrow.

 

Boys’ tennis

Player of the Year: Conner Kelly (Southwestern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Cassie Wodecki (Providence Grove)

All-conference

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Cadence Butler, Evan Morin.

Wheatmore: Sam Greene, Jacob Younts.

Providence Grove: James Ellis, Hunter Sexton, Chase Whitaker.

Randleman: Ashton Dillon.

Trinity: Bradin Oldham, Dominic Payne.

Southwestern Randolph: Conner Kelly, Asher Perkins, Kearns Trotter.

 

Boys’ track and field

Most Valuable Track Athlete: Tristan Chriscoe (Randleman)

Most Outstanding Runner: Zach Hazelwood (Wheatmore)

Most Outstanding Field Event Participant: Chase Farlow (Randleman)

Coach of the Year: Marty Collinson (Randleman)

All-conference

Trinity: Jose Castillo, Memphis Chap, Zach Cox, Riley Foster, Dylan Hodges, Jacob Hodges, Giovanni Jaimes, Mitchell Marin-Pulido, Dominic Payne, AJ Poe, Robert Ratliff.

Providence Grove: Robert Burton, Malachi Combo, Jackson Rhyne.

Randleman: Tristan Chriscoe, Chase Farlow, Amari Ferdna, Tyshawn Goldston, Landon McGee, Amarion Moton, Ty Moton, Jonathan Sampson.

Wheatmore: Zach Hazelwood, Peyton McDevitt.

 

Girls’ track and field

Most Valuable Track Athlete: Brecken Snotherly (Eastern Randolph)

Outstanding Runner: Jensen Auman (Providence Grove)

Outstanding Field Event Participant: Gracie Beane (Randleman)

Coach of the Year: Ken Wilson (Wheatmore)

All-conference

Providence Grove: Jensen Auman, Maya Barber, Jazmin Cruz, Kaylan Currin, Carolina Duvall, Allie Frazier, Alyssa Kinley, Makayla Leonard.

Randleman: Gracie Beane, Iniyah Mitchell.

Wheatmore: Emma Davidson, Rinnah Edwards, Emerie Everhart, Abigail Lewis, Ariel Martin, Kahmarii McNeil, Kaitlyn Miller, Rylee Reidling, Peyton Wilson.

Southwestern Randolph: Gracie Hodgin, Sadie Mabe, Elizabeth Pierce.

Eastern Randolph: Brecken Snotherly.

Trinity: Kinsley Fox, Sarabeth Johnson.

Wheatmore girls soccer trio and coach after 2023 loss

Wheatmore’s streak ends in state final loss

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Wheatmore’s Natalie Bowman, left, Izabella Ringley and Mikalah Walls head off the field toward coach Ricky Maness after the Class 2-A state final for girls’ soccer Saturday at UNC Greensboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

GREENSBORO – It took two years for Wheatmore to build a record-setting streak in girls’ soccer.

That was gone in a matter of minutes in Saturday afternoon’s Class 2-A state championship game.

Manteo overcame a second-half deficit, scoring four goals in a 13½-minute stretch on the way to dethroning the Warriors in a 5-3 result at UNC Greensboro Soccer Stadium.

“My hat is off to them,” Wheatmore coach Ricky Maness said. “My hat is off to our kids, too.”

Wheatmore’s state-record 49-game winning streak was dashed despite a partisan crowd that came anticipating another championship.

“Enjoy what we had,” Maness said. “It’s an honor to get here two years straight.”

And for a while, it looked like the Warriors might add to their legacy. They led 1-0 at halftime and again 2-1 early in the second half after countering Manteo’s first goal.

But Manteo converted a penalty kick with 17:22 remaining after a Wheatmore handball in the box.

Again, the Warriors nearly responded, but a free kick clanked off the crossbar. Manteo went the other way and took its first lead with 14:20 remaining and boosted the margin to 4-2 about six minutes later.

Ellie Garrison’s second goal of the game for Wheatmore came with 6:02 remaining before another Manteo penalty kick helped seal the outcome.

“Our youth really got exposed,” Maness said. “Three goals caused because of errors. … We weathered the storm a few games in the past.”

Maness said the Warriors seemed worn down by the mid-afternoon heat, though Manteo wore black jerseys that might have put the Redskins more susceptible to the conditions.

Wheatmore benefited from goalkeeper Lucy Lockwood’s presence. She came through with numerous stops that, for a long time, might have been considered game-defining moments. She had 10 saves, though Manteo converted on both of its penalty kicks.

“This came could have been even worse their way,” Maness said in noting the Redskins’ strong stretches.

Summer Bowman scored Wheatmore’s first-half goal on an assist from Garrison. Garrison’s first goal came on a header from Natalie Bowman’s free kick.

Leading 2-1, Summer Bowman’s shot off the crossbar nearly made it a two-goal advantage for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, Garrison was often bottled up by Manteo defenders. She also provided an assist.

“Ellie just ran out of gas,” Maness said. “They made her tired.”

Kenzie Flynn had two goals and an assist and Kiley Eckard posted two goals for Manteo (25-0-2), which won the program’s first state championship.

Wheatmore girls soccer Ellie Garrison v Shelby May2023

Wheatmore looks to add to soccer record book in state final

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Wheatmore’s Ellie Garrison tries to gain control of the ball in the state playoffs against Shelby earlier this spring. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

TRINITY – Wheatmore has won a state-record 49 consecutive girls’ soccer games.

Something bigger is at stake for the Warriors on Saturday afternoon: Two straight Class 2-A state championships.

Wheatmore (24-0), looking to repeat, takes on Manteo (24-0-2) in the title game a 2:30 p.m. at UNC Greensboro Soccer Stadium.

Repeat winners have been common in Class 2-A. Since there has been four classes for girls’ soccer, there have been 15 state champions in Class 2-A. Those have gone to eight schools.

Wheatmore is trying to join Swansboro, First Flight and Carrboro with multiple Class 2-A titles during that span.

This year, the Warriors have outscored opponents by a combined 200-12.

Manteo, which has reached a state final for the first time, also has surrendered 12 goals. The Redskins have scored 179 goals.

Manteo won the East Region by defeating Clinton 2-1 in Tuesday’s final. Clinton was Wheatmore’s opponent in last year’s championship game.

There are title games in all four classifications, with UNCG the site for soccer finals for the first time. However, UNCG Soccer Stadium was used for the NCAA women’s semifinals and final in 1997 and 1998.

Friday night’s Class 4-A game pits Wilmington Ashley vs. Ardrey Kell.

Saturday’s first game involves the only classification with two regional top seeds to reach the final weekend as Eastern Alamance takes on South Point at 11 a.m. in Class 3-A. At 6 p.m., Woods Charter meets Christ the King in Class 1-A.

Wheatmore girls soccer Summer bowman header May 30 2023

Wheatmore Warriors head back to girls’ soccer state final

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Summer Bowman of Wheatmore heads the ball for a goal against Pine Lake Prep on Tuesday night. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

MOORESVILLE – Wheatmore is heading back to the Class 2-A final with a chance to repeat as state champion in girls’ soccer.

Summer Bowman scored three goals as the Warriors boosted a state record by winning their 49th consecutive game Tuesday night, topping host Pine Lake Prep 5-2 in the West Region final.

Ellie Garrison racked up two goals. She has a single-season state record of 94 goals.

“A special night for us, having a chance to repeat,” Wheatmore coach Ricky Maness said.

Wheatmore (24-0) meets Manteo (24-0-2), a 2-1 winner against top-seeded Clinton in the East Region final, in the state championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at UNC Greensboro Soccer Stadium.

For the second year in a row, the Warriors advanced to the title game by winning the West Region final on the road.

Wheatmore was up 3-1 midway through the first half and that held up through halftime.

Pine Lake Prep (20-2-2) had a 13-game unbeaten streak end.

Wheatmore soccer Ellie Garrison v Wilkes Central May2023

Prep soccer: Wheatmore whips up more success in states

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Wheatmore’s Ellie Garrison controls the ball as Wilkes Central’s Lydia Mayes falls during Monday night’s girls’ soccer game in the state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

TRINITY – Wheatmore’s girls’ soccer team has been on the fast track in Class 2-A state playoffs.

Looking to repeat as state champions, the Warriors improved their record to 22-0 by defeating seventh-seeded Wilkes Central 6-1 in Monday night’s third-round game.

Ellie Garrison scored three goals, Summer Bowman scored two and Natalie Bowman had one goal. Wilkes Central fell to 15-6.

Next is Thursday night’s home game against No. 14 seed Community School of Davidson.

Monday’s result came after two convincing victories to begin the postseason last week.

Wheatmore’s first-round 9-0 shelling of No. 31 seed Shelby included six goals from Garrison. Summer Bowman had two goals and Mikalah Walls notched the other. Natalie Bowman provided four assists.

In the second round, the Warriors flattened No. 15 seed Forbush 7-0 with Garrison and Summer Bowman each racking up three goals. Kaitlyn Vazquez had the other goal.

Also in Class 2-A, No. 17 seed Providence Grove suffered a 1-0 overtime loss to No. 17 seed Black Mountain Owen in the first round. The Patriots finished with a 12-8-2 record.

No. 28 seed Randleman (7-9-1) lost 3-1 at fifth-seeded East Gaston, while No. 29 seed Southwestern Randolph (9-10-1) was bounced 8-0 by fourth-seeded Hendersonville.

** In Class 1-A, Uwharrie Charter Academy fell 5-2 at second-seeded Christ the King in the second round.

No. 18 seed UCA (8-11-2) began the tournament by defeating No. 15 seed Gray Stone Day School 3-0 with Kendall Jarrell scoring twice and Ivy Redding scoring once. Goalkeeper Abbie Gudino was tracked for 13 saves.

** In Class 3-A, 16th-seeded North Henderson handled 17th-seeded Asheboro 3-0. The Blue Comets ended with a 9-7-4 record.

Wheatmore girls soccer Morgyn Lassiter May2023

Prep Roundup: Wheatmore takes PAC golf crown, rolls in girls’ soccer

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Morgyn Lassiter of Wheatmore aims to control the ball against Eastern Randolph in last week’s girls’ soccer game in Ramseur. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

ARCHDALE – Wheatmore was the team champion in the Piedmont Athletic Conference championships for boys’ golf last week at Holly Ridge Golf Links.

Wheatmore’s Ryan Marshall and Eastern Randolph’s Connor Carter shared medalist honors with even-par 72s, with both golfers shooting 36s on the front and back sides.

Wheatmore posted a team score of 350 for a 10-shot advantage on runner-up Providence Grove. Trinity was next with 363, followed by Randleman (390), Southwestern Randolph (402), Eastern Randolph (405) and Uwharrie Charter Academy (426).

Individually, third place went to Providence Grove’s Brandon Davis (82), fourth place to Trinity’s Ethan Earnhardt (84) and fifth place to Wheatmore’s Hunter Marshall ()87).

** In the Mid-Piedmont Conference championships at Asheboro’s Pinewood Country Club, Oak Grove was the overwhelming team winner with a 35-stroke advantage on runner-up Ledford. Asheboro placed fourth among the six teams.

Girls’ soccer

Undefeated Wheatmore defeated host Eastern Randolph 14-0, topped visiting Southwestern Randolph 9-0, and blasted visiting Uwharrie Charter Academy 9-0 in a trio of Piedmont Athletic Conference romps.

Summer Bowman’s four goals and Ellie Garrison’s three goals led the way against Southwestern Randolph. Against UCA, Garrison scored six goals and Bowman had two goals and two assists.

** Macy Allred scored three goals in Southwestern Randolph’s 9-0 home victory against Eastern Randolph.

** Alaliyah Loveday and Taryn Waugh both scored two goals when Providence Grove defeated visiting Trinity 4-0. Rori Luther and Noelle Swaim had the goals when Providence Grove nipped host Randleman 2-0.

** Randleman defeated host UCA 4-2 despite two goals from Jazmin Palma.

When UCA defeated host Eastern Randolph 9-0, Ava Cugino had three goals and Katie Jaimes scored twice.

** Madison Luck had two goals when Asheboro lost 4-3 to visiting Central Davidson in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

Boys’ tennis

All three area qualifiers for the dual team state playoffs were eliminated in first-round matches.

In Class 2-A, sixth-seeded Trinity lost 6-0 at home to No. 11 seed West Stokes, while No. 12 seed Southwestern Randolph fell 6-0 at No. 5 seed Burns.

In Class 1-A, fifth-seeded Bishop McGuinness overwhelmed No. 12 seed Uwharrie Charter Academy 9-0.

ER softball team in dugout spring2023

Prep Roundup: Randleman claims PAC baseball crown

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Eastern Randolph’s softball team has had lots to cheer about this season despite last week’s loss to Southwestern Randolph. (File photo)

RANDLEMAN – Randleman avenged a loss from three nights earlier to defeat visiting Trinity 6-1 on Friday night and secure another Piedmont Athletic Conference baseball championship.

The Tigers (17-4 overall, 10-2 PAC) won their regular-season home finale. They’ll be the top seed for the conference tournament as a prelude to their bid for a third consecutive Class 2-A state championship.

Second-place Trinity won 3-2 earlier last week behind Cade Hill’s complete-game pitching and Landon Mowery’s home run. The Bulldogs went up 3-0 on Randleman starter Seth Way and held on.

Randleman has completed its regular-season conference schedule, while the other six teams all had two games to play entering this week. Trinity, Uwharrie Charter Academy and Providence Grove can all finish in second place.

** Providence topped Eastern Randolph 7-3 at home with Tyler Foust going 3-for-3 and scoring two runs and Lemuel Coltrane driving in two runs. Three nights later on the road, the Patriots upended Eastern Randolph 4-3. Andrew Thomas and Andrew Canter picked up the pitching victories as the Patriots reached the 12-win mark – two more than all of last season.

In between those outcomes, Providence Grove dropped an 8-3 home decision to Burlington Williams in non-league play.

** UCA beat Wheatmore twice last week, winning 1-0 at home behind Jake Hunter’s three-hit pitching.

In the rematch, Carter Brown homered in a 7-2 road victory that included Brett Smith’s complete-game pitching.

In between, UCA’s Ben Medinger hit a two-run, first-inning home run in a 5-2 non-league home triumph against Ledford.

** In the Mid-Piedmont Conference, Asheboro lost 1-0 at Ledford and then pulled out a 5-4 home victory against the same opponent. Tanner Marsh and Davis Gore homered in the Asheboro victory, which marked just the team’s second triumph in its last eight outings.

Softball

Southwestern Randolph suffered its first loss of the season with Friday night’s 3-0 home setback to Hickory Ridge.

It was a non-league showdown between teams that both held 16-1 records when the game was finished.

Hickory Ridge scored one run in the third inning and two more in the seventh.

Southwestern Randolph won the previous two days in PAC play to clinch the regular-season crown. The Cougars topped host Eastern Randolph 4-0 and visiting Wheatmore 9-0. Macie Crutchfield struck out 13 Eastern Randolph batters and Alyssa Harris fanned 12 Wheatmore batters.

** Skyler Pugh and Addie Flinchum homered as Eastern Randolph nipped host Uwharrie Charter Academy 9-8.

Also last week, the Wildcats defeated Wheatmore 7-0 with Flinchum hitting a home run and Logan Beaver scoring two runs. Pugh and Flinchum combined to strike out 19 batters.

** UCA had a better result with a 13-8 home victory against Randleman with Kynley Brewer rapping three hits and scoring two runs. Also, UCA drubbed visiting Trinity 24-0 with Brewer homering and driving in three runs. Emory Johnson also homered and Kaitlyn West was credited with a three-inning no-hitter.

** Providence Grove senior pitcher Emma Mazzarone eclipsed the 800-strikeout mark for her career while throwing a no-hitter in a 16-1 road romp against Trinity. She posted 12 strikeouts.

Providence Grove suffered a 5-4, eight-inning loss at Southern Guilford in a non-league game despite Gracie Smith’s two runs batted in.

** Asheboro’s 11-10 non-conference victory against visiting Wheatmore came with five runs in the bottom of the seventh. Avery Dykes had four hits and scored two runs for Wheatmore.

Girls’ soccer

A matchup between the PAC first-place and second-place teams didn’t turn out to be much of a showdown as undefeated Wheatmore whipped host Providence Grove 10-1 last week. Summer Bowman scored five goals and Ellie Garrison had four goals.

UCA softball v Trinity March2023

Prep Roundup: Spring athletes hit strides

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Logan Zepfir of UCA slides in safely at the plate as Trinity catcher Eva Porter applies a late tag during a PAC softball game earlier this season. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Three days after appearing in the Class 1-A state championship game for boys’ basketball, Eastern Randolph’s Connor Carter shot 44 for second place in a Piedmont Athletic Conference boys’ golf match at Colonial Country Club.

Ryan Marshall of Wheatmore was the winner with 43.

In a PAC match Thursday at Tot Hill Farm, Carter topped the seven-team field by shooting 37 for a six-shot victory on runner-up Cooper Wright of Providence Grove.

Carter wasn’t the only Eastern Randolph basketball player in action in another sport last week.

Teammate Davonte Brooks placed second in the high jump by clearing 5 feet, 6 inches in a PAC tri-meet that also included host Providence Grove and Southwestern Randolph. Devonte Dukes of Southwestern Randolph won the event at 5-8.

Softball

Eastern Randolph’s Skylar Pugh struck out 10 batters with one walk in a five-inning no-hitter against visiting Wheatmore in a 10-0 victory.

** Providence Grove’s Emma Mazzarone struck out 16 in a no-hitter of host Uwharrie Charter Academy in a 6-1 victory.

Baseball

Asheboro used a nine-run third inning in an 11-9 non-conference home victory against Eastern Randolph. Tanner Marsh’s three-run home run was the big blast.

Stratton Barwick and Rayden West homered for Eastern Randolph, which lost twice during the week to the Blue Comets.

** Trinity thumped Southwestern Randolph twice, winning 16-6 on the road and 10-5 at home. Trinity’s Jake Little homered in the first meeting and then drove in two runs and was the winning pitcher in the rematch. Jaxson Coble knocked in four runs in the first matchup between the teams.

** Randleman claimed two PAC victories against Wheatmore by 9-4 and 12-2 counts. Then came Saturday’s 1-0 loss to undefeated High Point Christian in a non-conference loss in a neutral-site game at Finch Field in Thomasville.

** Jake Hunter of UCA threw a nine-hitter with three strikeouts and no walks in a 5-0 decision against host Providence Grove.

That outcome avenged Providence Grove’s 3-2 victory earlier in the week. Andrew Thomas struck out nine UCA batters in the road victory.

Girls’ soccer

Ellie Garrison of Wheatmore registered seven goals in a 9-1 home victory against East Davidson. Summer Bowman had the other two goals for the Warriors.

** Tess Moody scored three goals as Asheboro topped visiting Southwestern Randolph 5-1.

** Asheboro won again by defeating visiting UCA 3-1 with Moody scoring another goal along one goal apiece for teammates Natalie Flores and Madison Luck.

PG girls soccer v West Davidson March2023

Prep Roundup: Wheatmore girls start in good soccer groove; Mixed results in baseball, softball

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Providence Grove’s Rori Luther makes a move with West Davidson’s Marly Gouker approaching during last week’s game. West Davidson won 1-0. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Wheatmore opened the season with a 6-0 victory with Ellie Garrison scoring four goals against visiting Ledford last week in girls’ soccer.

Natalie Bowman and Summer Bowman had the other goals.

It was a nice start for the Warriors, who were undefeated Class 2-A state champions with a  25-0 record last year.

Here are some other items of note from the opening week of the spring season:

Baseball

** Randleman suffered an 11-0, six-inning loss March 1 at Northwest Guilford. That marked the first setback for the Tigers to in-state opponent since June 26, 2021, vs. Rutherfordton-Spindale Central in Game 2 of the Class 2-A state championship series. The Tigers responded later that day to win Game 3 and claim the title.

Last week’s opener went better for the Tigers, who defeated visiting Asheboro 13-2. The game ended in the sixth inning on Hunter Atkins’ three-run home run that clicked in the mercy rule.

** Eastern Randolph opened the season with an 8-3 home victory against Seaforth in coach Brent Haynes’ debut. In the Wildcats’ next game, Stratton Barwick struck out 10 batters in a 5-4 home loss to Eastern Guilford.

** Uwharrie Charter Academy lost its first game under new coach Rob Shore. That setback came by 6-5 at Ledford, where Shore coached a few years ago.

** Eli Gravely of Southwestern Randolph had a four-RBI outing in a 14-4 victory at Montgomery Central.

** Providence Grove opened the season with two non-conference victories for the first time since 2018, defeating visiting Southern Guilford 7-6 in eight innings and host Seaforth 4-2. Lemuel Coltrane had the game-winning hit against Southern Guilford.

** Parker Kines had 12 strikeouts in Wheatmore’s 10-0, five-inning victory against visiting Walkertown.

Softball

Providence Grove has had a couple of challenging games to begin the season.

The Patriots opened with a 4-2 home victory against Southern Guilford. Emma Mazzarone struck out 17 in the two-hitter. Gracie Smith drove in two runs.

Then came a 7-0 home loss to Oak Grove.

Last year, Providence Grove built a 24-0 record before a loss in the Class 2-A state playoffs.

** Southwestern Randolph went nine innings for a 2-1 victory against West Stanly, winning on Madison Varner’s game-ending single. Macie Crutchfield registered 17 strikeouts. The game was scoreless until the ninth inning.

Wheatmore soccer title team photo June2022

Tears of joy for Warriors: Wheatmore girls capture state title

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Members of the Wheatmore girls’ soccer team celebrate the school’s first state championship Friday night in Cary. (PJ Ward-Brown/North State Journal)

CARY – The Wheatmore girls’ soccer team fit right in at the state finals.

The Warriors, who were the first Randolph County team to play in a state championship game in soccer, completed an unblemished season with Friday night’s 4-1 victory against Clinton to secure the Class 2-A title.

“We definitely deserved it,” Wheatmore forward Summer Bowman said.

The Warriors ended up with a 25-0-0 record.

“You go 25-0, you set the bar so high for anybody,” coach Ricky Maness said. “It’s going to take a lot of time to set in.”

With the mission accomplished, there was great joy for the Warriors.

“I’m very ecstatic for the outcome that we had,” senior goalkeeper Victoria Lowe said. “It’s very emotional for all of us. We’re all crying. At least it’s happy tears.”

Bowman scored twice on the way to receiving Most Valuable Player honors. Ellie Garrison opened the scoring before Bowman’s first goal, with the Warriors going up 2-0 in the first 30 minutes.

“Once you get an early lead, it gets into the other team’s head,” Bowman said.

Kenzy Yang scored for Clinton (25-3), which also was in a state final for the first time, two minutes into the second half. Then with Clinton down a player because of a second yellow card, Bowman’s second goal came in the 75th minute followed four minutes later by Kara Comer’s goal.

The Warriors kept the winning formula.

“Do what you do, have fun,” Maness said of his message to the team.

Wheatmore won every game in the regular season by at least a four-goal margin. In the final two games of the West Region, there was a 3-2 victory against visiting Community School of Davison and a 4-3 overtime escape in the regional final at Wilkes Central.

In the championship game, Wheatmore extended a single-season state record for goals in a season. The Warriors finished with 195, which was 10 more than the standard established by East Forsyth in 1988.

Of those, Garrison tallied 77 goals as a sophomore.

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