South Central eliminates C.B. Aycock

By Rob Craig
Published in Sports on May 20, 2007 2:11 AM

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PIKEVILLE -- The look on the face of Julia Lancaster told the story for Charles B. Aycock.

The senior could only watch helplessly as Shakemia Edwards and Kim Bolhinhouse raced around the bases to score South Central's second and third runs -- virtually eliminating the Golden Falcons' chance at a comeback.

South Central pitcher Caitlin Wainright -- who had been spectacular all evening -- then finished off Aycock in the bottom of the seventh to complete a 4-0 win in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A playoffs on a soggy Friday night.

Wainright was dominant for South Central as she limited Aycock to just two baserunners all game long.

"Caitlyn's done it for us all year," said South Central coach Kemp Ewing. "The location on her pitches was very good. She did a very good job of keeping the hitters guessing."

Wainright (21-3) would strike out eight in the complete game victory while allowing a single hit and walk to the Golden Falcons.

Lancaster was nearly as good for Aycock over the first six innings as she had allowed one run on three hits before the Falcons finally got to her in the seventh.

"They were good enough to put themselves in position to take advantage of every break," said Aycock coach David West. "You have to give them credit because they came out tonight and beat us."

Both pitchers had to shake off the effects of a 1:30 rain delay at the start of the contest and a slippery ball all game long.

"I'm sure the delay affected both teams, but we would have stayed out here until midnight to play if we had to," said Ewing. "The girls were just really focused today and did a heck of a job."

Despite the wet weather, no one was making any excuses from Aycock.

"Julia's not going to make any excuses," said West. "Just give credit to South Central -- they came out and hit the ball. They played well enough to win and took it to us."

The game was a pitcher's duel from the start as Lancaster and Wainright both had no-hitters going until the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth, Kayla Kraft hit a line drive to left field. As Brittany Ford raced over to field the ball she slipped on the wet grass, allowing the ball to go to the wall and Kraft to reach second.

Following a sacrifice, Edwards doubled Kraft home to score the game's first run.

"We didn't get any breaks," said West. "They got some breaks and some great hits. You put that together and you'll get a 'W' every time."

The one run was all Wainright needed as she cruised the rest of the way, allowing only one baserunner via a Lancaster single.

The victory improves South Central to 21-4 overall as they move on to the third round of the state playoffs. The loss means the end of the season for Aycock (21-6) and the last time this talented senior class will take the field.

While the disappointing defeat will sting in the short term for seniors Shelly Lancaster, Julia Lancaster, Heather Farmer, Rusti Talton, Jasmine Dobbin, Jazzmine Lee and Leiren Tillman, long term the class will have plenty of great memories.

"I hated for the seniors to go out with a loss, but there aren't many senior classes that can say they've done what this class has done," said West. "They won't always remember losing tonight. They will for a little while, but once that feeling goes away they'll remember how good it really was."

South Central 000 010 3 -- 4 6 0

C.B. Aycock 000 000 0 -- 0 1 0

Leading hitters -- South Central -- Emily Perkins 2-4, 2B, RBI; Shaela Churchill 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Shakemia Edwards 1-3, 2B, RBI; Kayla Kraft 1-3, 2B. C.B. Aycock -- Julia Lancaster 1-2.

IP H R ER BB SO

South Central

Wainright (W) 7 1 0 0 1 8

C.B. Aycock

J. Lancaster (L) 7 6 4 4 2 7

WP -- Wainwright. PB -- Talton.