At one point on Saturday, Apex looked down and out. Now the Cougars are preparing for a decisive Game 3 in the NCHSAA 2A softball state championship series after beating Hickory Ridge 8-6 in extra innings on a two-run walk-off home run by Kaleigh Ayscue in the bottom of the eight of Game 2 at Duke's softball stadium.
Anna Dew didn't let a runner get into scoring position and Hickory Ridge used small ball to defeat Apex 3-0 on Friday in Game 1 of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A softball state championship series at Duke's softball stadium. Hickory Ridge's (27-2) Dew, an Elon commit, entered with a 0.34 ERA, and her prowess in the circle quickly became apparent against the Cougars. Apex didn't have a baserunner until the fourth inning, and Dew finished with eight strikeouts.
Topsail saved its best for last on Wednesday evening.
The Pirates claimed its first lead of the 4A eastern regional best-of-three series on the game's final play, a walk-off single to defeat Apex 5-4.
With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh, Rylee Reuter singled home Zoey Vincent to cap off a come-from-behind victory.
Apex jumped out to an early lead in the top of the third inning.
Kathryn Curry and Anamie Whittlesey reached to start the frame then out of the lead off spot, Leah Kendall put a ball on the ground that was mishandled allowing Curry the cross home for the 1-0 advantage.
A batter later, Kayleigh Ayscue rocked a single into center that brought home Whittlesey and Kendall to inflate the lead to 3-0.
Since returning from injury in the first round of the playoffs, Ayscue has gone 11-for-21 with 10 runs batted in including one in all six postseason games.
Topsail picked up its first run of the series in the home half of the third.
Kennedy S