Three Stanly softball teams win in first round of playoffs

Published 1:05 pm Tuesday, July 8, 2025

By Charles Curcio
Stanly News Journal

The high school softball teams of Stanly County took to the fields Tuesday night for the opening round of the 2025 NCHSAA State Playoffs

North Stanly 13, Surry Central 5

The No. 3 seeded Comets scored five runs in two different innings en route to a 13-5 victory over No. 30 Surry Central (11-12).

Sophia Crist pitched six innings to earn the win on the mound for North (17-6), striking out 14 batters while allowing five earned runs on eight hits. Kylie Speight pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the seventh fo the Comets.

Four different Comets had three hits in the game. Emma Sanders was 3-for-3 with three RBIs, while Kylie Speight was 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and two RBIs. Freshman Sammie Lowder drove in four runs, including a double and a home run, and Leah Frick was 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.

The Comets host No. 14 Forbush (20-7) in the second round of the playoffs which was scheduled for Friday night. The Falcons (20-7) advanced with a 3-0 win over No. 19 Pine Lake Prep.

West Stanly 12, Burns 1

Tuesday’s first-round home victory for the No. 5 seeded Colts was a historic one for its head coach.

Emily Smith, who led the Colts to two state titles as a head coach and two as an assistant, earned her 100th career head coaching victory as the Colts blew out the Bulldogs.

Madi Whitley allowed no earned runs on three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts to earn the win in the circle for West.

West (21-4) scored at least one run in all five innings. Saylor Edwards had a huge night at the dish for the Colts, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs. Makayla Crayton added three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs, while Payton Watson was 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and one run driven in.

“The success of our program is all based on the people in it and the culture we try to establish every day. Beginning with our players, who work hard on and off the field and make us proud every day. They are phenomenal young women,” Smith Said.

“I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful coaches and learned from all of them, including both assistant coaches this year, Haily Jarman and Abbie Yarboro. They have both played at the collegiate level and been very successful, and it is great to see them pour knowledge into the players each day. “

Regarding the season so far, she continued, “I am thankful each day to have the opportunity to coach at West Stanly and for all the community support.”

South Stanly 9, Hiwassee Dam 2

The Bulls made the long trip across the mountains to earn a road win Tuesday.

Senior pitcher Kinsley Tyson earned the win for the Bulls (13-13) allowing one earned run on three hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts.

Olivia McNabb took the loss for the Eagles (9-8).

Ashleyn Tucker led South’s offense going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Ellianna Ussery drove in three runs for the Bulls. Tyson helped her own cause, driving in two runs, and Lia Carpetner was 2-for-5 at the plate.

South will travel down to Union County to take on fellow Yadkin Valley Conference opponent Union Academy (22-1). The Cardinals, the No. 1 seed in the 1A West, advanced with a 17-0 win versus No. 32 Bessemer City. The Cardinals swept the Bulls in the regular season with scores of 2-0 and 9-0.