South Lenoir Clutches Conference Crown in Thrilling Senior Night Showdown
In a dramatic finale to the 2024 2A East Central Conference Championship, the South Lenoir Blue Devils captured the title with a narrow 2-1 victory over North Lenoir, marking the Hawks' second loss of the season, both at the hands of their rivals. The high-stakes game, played on South Lenoir’s Senior Night, was a tense battle down to the very last pitch.
Freshman Jade Sasnett of South Lenoir delivered an impressive performance, pitching a complete game, allowing only five hits and racking up ten strikeouts. Her skill was crucial in the final moments of the game, securing the win by inducing a flyout from North Lenoir's Halie Fowler with a runner in scoring position. Sasnett reflected on the intense situation:
"I was really nervous because I knew if I walked her one of their biggest hitters (Rouse) was going to be up, and I knew I could not do that, I was praying I was doing really good."
Maddie Rouse, pitching for North Lenoir, also performed well, allowing six hits and striking out six in six innings. Despite her efforts, it was South Lenoir who capitalized on crucial moments.
Kailey Bridwell of North Lenoir was the standout hitter in the game, going 3-for-3 and proving to be the only player to secure more than one hit during the match. Her efforts, however, were not enough to turn the tide in favor of the Hawks.
South Lenoir’s head coach, Madison Harvey, praised her team’s resilience and adaptability:
"I am very proud of the girls. They really worked hard especially with all the crap (injuries) thrown at us this last week. Practice have been about making adjustments and they rolled with the punches and I couldn't be more proud of them."
Harvey also commended Sasnett's pitching: "She dealt, her spins were so tight, that is worked on in the bullpen and I told her I don't care what happens I want your spin tight, looking into the playoffs we got to have movement and we gotta show different things, and she went out there and dominated and I am really proud of her."
On South Lenoir's Senior Night, five seniors were honored: Cailyn Shiver, Kiley Smith, Jordan Sasnett, Katherine Thompson, and Payton Bryan. Harvey highlighted their dedication: "Their mentality and their work ethic, they have put more time than you can think of... I am really proud of them, I am going to miss them a lot."
North Lenoir’s coach, Bobby Hatcher, acknowledged the tight competition: "Overall both teams played very well; the score reflects that. Little things add up and we struggled to make adjustments at the plate, she threw very well, we couldn't make our adjustments and she beat us." He emphasized the learning opportunity from the defeat: "I think they really see the things we been preaching on, small things and making adjustments, they saw that tonight. They don't do it, we lose."
With the championship decided, South Lenoir and North Lenoir looks poised for a strong playoff run. NCHSAA finalized brackets will be released May 6th.
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