Pack, Panthers move on

Published 7:45 am Friday, May 13, 2022

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Senior Olivia Paszt delivered a clutch hit for the second straight game to lead the top-seeded Washington High School girls softball team to a 7-1 2A state tournament victory over #17 Bun Thursday night at home.

Northside’s softball team advanced in the 1A playoffs, as did the Panthers baseball team, setting up third round games for all three Tuesday.

Paszt whacked a bases-loaded triple to the base of the right field wall in the bottom of the first inning, staking the Pam Pack to a lead they never lost.

She blasted a three-run homer over the right field fence in Tuesday’s first round victory over Jordan-Matthews

Freshman left-hander Emma Orr was in charge all night in the circle, as she scattered six hits and struck out eight with a pair of walks.

The Wildcats (11-7) only run scored with two outs in the seventh on a single and a triple.

“Olivia came up big for us for the second straight game and Emma located the ball well and struck out their best hitter three times,” coach Brad Horton said. “They had two senior pitchers who knew what they were doing and it took a while for us to get our timing down. Morgan Eisenzimmer made a great diving catch in center field and Laci Campbell dove behind second to get a force out which gave Emma more confidence on the mound. It’s easier to pitch when you know your defense is going to help you.”

WHS is 23-0 and hosts the winner of Friday’s game between eighth-seeded South Columbus (18-2) and #9 Midway (14-7) in Tuesday’s third round.

Campbell and Shaelee Crismon each had two of Washington’s nine hits.

Northside, the fourth seed in the 1A softball playoffs, took care of #20 Chatham Charter of Siler City, 6-2, at home. The Panthers (15-7) host #12 Roxboro Community (11-6) Tuesday. They knocked off #5 Falls Lake to advance.

The Panthers baseball team snapped a scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat #8 Voyager Academy, 2-0, Thursday night in Durham.

Hunter Chrismon’s base hit and Tres Cherry’s sacrifice fly produced the runs in the final at-bat.

Sophomore Dylan Waters was 2-2 and scored a run, while Eli Huynh and Brandon Arthur combined for the pitching victory.

The ninth-seeded Panthers (20-6) travel to top-seeded Perquimans (25-1) Tuesday.