Halifax advances in State play-offs

Halifax Academy (10-4) #4 seed hosted Pungo Christian Academy (14-5) #5 seed Wednesday, one day later due to the weather in the opening round of the 1A NCISAA State Softball Championship Play-offs.

Pungo hit the scoreboard first due to a couple Halifax errors with three runs in the top of the first. Halifax earned one back, but down 1-3 after one inning.

In the second inning with two outs and one runner on, Candice Smith hits a dinger over left field to tie the game 3-3. Halifax still managed to leave the bases loaded before Pungo earned the third out of the inning on Halifax.

In the third inning with Pungo threatening, Halifax center fielder Emily Atkins came up with a major catch to end the top of the inning. Halifax added two more runs in the bottom to take the lead after 3 innings 5-3.

In the fourth inning, Halifax held Pungo scoreless while adding yet another two runs increasing their lead to 7-3.

In the fifth inning Pungo added a run and held Halifax scoreless. After five innings Halifax still led 7-4.

In the sixth inning Pungo slowly increased the score by one run again in the sixth, but Halifax opened the run gate scoring five runs and increased their lead 12-5. That was enough after three outs in the top of the seventh to win and advance to the double elimination 1A NCISAA State Championship Tournament at Oakwood school starting Thursday.

Sydney Smith pitched the entire 7 innings with 3 strikeouts and 4 walks.

With 20 hits and 11 runners left on base for Halifax, the big hitters for Halifax were: Candice Smith with a double and a homerun, Smith was intentionally walked the next three times at bat, Drew Rose had a double and 3 singles, Brooke Robertson had 2 doubles and a single, Ashton Garner had a triple and a single, Emerson Poole and Sydney Smith each had 3 singles, Karen Alston had a double and a single while Emily Atkins had a single.

Post game comments from Halifax head coach Steve Hamill, "Our team hit well and Candice smashed one over to tie the game was big. Ashton came up big when they walked Candice to load the bases and she hit a triple. Sydney pitched well on the mound and we had a good game. Pungo was better than I thought."

Next the #4 seed Halifax (11-4) will face #1 seed Cape Fear Christian Academy (8-6-1) Thursday morning at 10AM at Oakwood School.

Ashton Garner Triple 3 RBI hit: https://www.facebook.com/621715037866575/videos/vb.621715037866575/1080675211970553/?type=3&theater

Halifax Academy Lady Vikings get last out to end the game and win to advance to the next round: https://www.facebook.com/621715037866575/videos/vb.621715037866575/1080675211970553/?type=3&theater

Game photos by Randy Wrenn