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West Stanly’s softball team continued its long win streak in getting prepared for the defense of its 2A state championship by claiming the Rocky River Conference tournament title Friday at Anson County.

With Friday’s 6-1 win over the Bearcats, the Colts will take a 23-1 record and a 23-game win streak into the 2A state playoffs. West is the No. 2 seed in the 2A Western Region behind undefeated McMichael. The Colts will host a first-round playoff game Tuesday night.

Lily Huneycutt dominated in the circle, striking out 12 and allowing one earned run on two hits with one walk.

Payton Little drove in the second of two first-inning runs for the Colts. West added four runs in the fourth, including a two-RBI single from Teagan Ritchie. Brooklyn Lovin stole home in the inning as well.

West had six players on the All-RRC team this year: Huneycutt, Little, Ritchie, Lilly Hartsell, Aliyah Rush and Kristin Smith. Ritchie was named RRC Player of the Year and Huneycutt was the RRC Pitcher of the Year. Carmen McRae and Elizabeth Ingle were named honorable mention.

“I am so proud of everything our team has accomplished up to this point,” West head coach Emily Smith said. “They work hard every single day to better themselves and to be prepared for each game. They stay behind each other no matter what the circumstance may be. I am thankful for each one of them and what they bring to our team. Winning the conference regular season and conference tournament was a culmination of their hard work throughout the season.”

Smith said West is excited for the 2A state playoffs, and is “focused on our first-round game. We know that everyone in the playoffs will be a competitive softball team. Making a run in the playoffs is only possible when you show up prepared to compete each and every round, so that is our goal. I can’t wait to watch this group as we begin that process in the first round on Tuesday.”