South Stanly Baseball advances to 1A state title game with win at Murphy

After having made the five-hour trip up to Murphy tonight to see South Stanly's 19-8 win over Murphy in Game Three of the NCSHAA 1A regional finals, one word can describe the experience: exhausting.

And if I am sitting here at my computer gasping for breath, imagine what the Bulls' players had to endure through seven innings of baseball today with the temperature gauge starting at 91 degrees at the game's 5 p.m. start time.

You have to be dedicated to your schools and to the game of baseball to play under these condititions, which is certainly true of South Stanly and Murphy.

In speaking to the Bulldogs and their fans on Saturday and up here in the mountains today, I heard at least three or four times what a class act and what good and worthy opponents South Stanly was for their team and their boys.

I wanted to thank all of the Murphy fans that were so kind to my wife and I today...it's not always being the reporter covering the visiting team at a state playoff game, but Laura and I felt welcome and appreciated.

For more details of today's game, a full story will be in Tuesday's print edition and online at www.thesnaponline.com later Tuesday!

So, Rebel Bull Nation...make your plans to be in Raleigh as soon as possible! South goes for their second state title in three years against the 21-4 East Columbus Gators on Friday! I'll have further details on the game in the paper and on Facebook, Twitter and this blog as soon as I can!!!

South Stanly baseball evens regional series with Murphy

The South Stanly Rebel Bulls exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally for a 5-2 win over Murphy in Game Two of the 1A West Regional finals Saturday night at South Stanly.

Russ Weiker earned the win on the mound for South, going the complete game for the Bulls and giving up two earned run on four hits with eight strikeouts.

Taylor Cardell took the loss for the Bulldogs, throwing five innings of one-hit shutout ball for Murphy.

For the first five innings, the two teams combined for only three hits as both pitchers kept hitters off balance.

Michael Kornea gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the second inning with an RBI double, scoring Justin Coker.

In the top of the sixth, Murphy got back-to-back doubles from Brooklyn McKeon and Josh Cook to lead 2-0.

South rallied in the bottom of that frame for five runs on five hits, including RBIs from Landon Fraley, Jordan Starnes and Grayson Short, along with a two-RBI double from Weiker.

Game Three of the 1A West Regional Series is Monday at Murphy. Game time is tenatively scheduled for 5 p.m. but may be moved up to 4 p.m.

Check this blog for more information on Monday's game, along with Facebook and Twitter as well!

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W: Russ Weiker (7 IP, 2 ER, 4 hits, 1 BB, 8 K)
L: Taylor Cardell (6 IP, 4 ER, 6 hits, 2 BB, 9 K)

South Stanly baseball loses in Game One of the 1A West Regional Series

South Stanly led 4-1 going into the seventh inning in Friday's regional matchup at Murphy, but a four-run bottom of the seventh lifted the host Bulldogs to a 5-4 win in the opening game of the best-of-three 1A West Regional series.

For more information on this and other Stanly County sports stories, please visit www.thesnaponline.com.

South Stanly softball advances; South baseball rained out

The South Stanly softball team advanced to the sectional finals on Tuesday night with a 5-3 win over East Wilkes.

More details plus video highlights and more coming soon to the print edition and www.thesnaponline.com!

West Stanly Softball RRC Finals

West Stanly Softball RRC Finals

Stanly County high school playoff games cancelled to tomorrow...maybe...

All of the playoffs games scheduled for tonight have been rescheduled for tomorrow, if the rains stops anytime soon. Further updates on the games will be on here, Facebook, Twitter and www.thesnaponline.com.

Softball playoff pairings released by NCHSAA

Here are the 1A and 2A West Region softball pairings:

1A West

North Moore (11-12) at NCSSM (10-7)

Roxboro Community (6-10) at S. Stanly (21-3)

North Rowan (12-9) at CATA (7-15)

North Stokes (15-3) at East Wilkes (11-10)

North Wilkes (6-14) at East Surry (21-4)

Chatham Central (19-6) at Union Academy (4-13)

Mt. Airy (3-15) at West Wilkes (25-2)

East Montgomery (16-9) at River Mill Academy (7-11)

If South Stanly wins Tuesday, they will either host North Moore or travel to NCSSM on Friday.

The other 1A West Sectional

Lincoln Charter (11-10) at Swain County (21-5)

Highland Tech (6-15) at Mitchell (5-13)

Hayesville (11-8) at Hendersonville (4-15)

West Montgomery (8-13) at Bessemer City (14-10)

Gray Stone (9-12) at Cherryville (14-10)

Robbinsville (9-8) at Hiwassee Dam (14-8)

Alleghany (6-15) at Avery (4-11)

Rosman (7-12) at Murphy (21-2)

Gray Stone would play at either Robbinsville or Hiwassee Dam with a win Tuesday.

2A West Region

TW Andrews (4-12) at West STokes (14-10)

Salisbury (2-16) at Piedmont (22-4)

Jordan-Matthews (11-12) at Central Davidson (22-3)

North Surry (12-10) at North Lincoln (17-9)

West Lincoln (15-7) at West Stanly (24-2)

West Davidson (10-9) at Surry Central (13-10)

Forest Hills (17-7) at East Lincoln (15-8)

Cuthbertson (19-6) at East Davidson (8-10)

With a win on Tuesday, West Stanly would host the West Davidson-Surry Central winner on Friday.

The other 2A West sectional

Wilkes Central (9-9) at Bandys (19-5)

Bunker Hill (10-12) at Owen (23-2)

Maiden (16-8) at Starmount (18-7)

East Rutherford (11-9) at North Henderson (16-9)

Jimmy Draughn (17-8) at Chase (15-3)

Smoky Mtn. (8-16) at East Burke (17-8)

Polk County (18-5) at Pisgah (17-4)

Forbush (18-8) at Madison (15-3)