Sports - Randolph Record

01 Jun

Good to the last play: Cougars claim state title with two runs on final pitch

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, Kami Dunn, Macie Crutchfield, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, State championships, state playoffs, Toby Strider

Here’s the aftermath of the tying and winning runs scoring for Southwestern Randolph on the final play of the Class 2-A softball state championship series. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Madelyn Smith’s dash from first base to home plate that sent Southwestern Randolph’s softball team to a Class 2A state championship came amid chaos on the final play of the season. It created more mayhem in terms of a celebration for the Cougars, who won the program’s first title in 14 years. “We have this saying, ‘Why not us?’ ” said third baseman Kami Dunn, who took that…

31 May

Southwestern Randolph in softball, UCA in baseball close in on state titles

Randolph RecordSportsCarter Brown, class 1-A, Class 2-A, Macie Crutchfield, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state playoffs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s softball team and Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team are both one victory away from state championships after winning Friday night in drastically different manners. Southwestern Randolph opened the Class 2-A state finals with a 13-0 blasting of Midway at UNC Greensboro. The game was reduced to five innings because of the mercy rule. The Cougars (22-7) go for their first title in 14 years with Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday. If necessary, Game 3 will be held at 5 p.m. or 8 p.m., depending on the status of the Class 4-A finals also taking place on the…

31 May

Racing set to resume at Caraway; Duggins comes off Challengers victory

Randolph RecordSportsBrody Duggins, Caraway speedway, Jimmy Crigger, Josh Lowder, Stock car racing

SOPHIA – The next regular racing night at the track comes Saturday with the Grand National Super Series holding two 50-lap races. There also will be competition in regular divisions such as Challengers, 602 Mods, UCARs, Bootleggers and Mod 4s. Brody Duggins edged Dalton Ledbetter to win the Challengers feature in the David Saunders Memorial competition May 11 at Caraway Speedway. Duggins moved to the front by passing Brian Rose on the 18th lap and held on for less than a 1-second advantage on Ledbetter. It was a double-points feature so Duggins expanded his lead in the track standings. Rose…

30 May

Asheboro ZooKeepers crank up with busy baseball slate

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Hunter Atkins, Korey Dunbar, summer college baseball

James Hankerson Jr. has been active early in the season for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (Courtesy photo) College summer team looks for right blend ASHEBORO – More winning is one of the objectives for the Asheboro ZooKeepers this year. There have been a few seasons of occupying low spots in the Coastal Plain League standings, but second-year head coach Korey Dunbar said there has been a good tone for the first week of the season. “We definitely want to win,” said shortstop Zach Evans, a rising senior at Lenoir-Rhyne. “There are a lot of people counting on us to win.” Dunbar…

30 May

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Caleb Stickle

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Caleb Stickle, class 1-A, Prep baseball, state playoffs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Uwharrie Charter Academy, baseball The senior infielder has been a key member of the back-to-back Class 1A West Region champions. Stickle provided three hits and drove in four runs in the decisive Game 3 of the Class 1A West Region finals Saturday night at Mount Airy. That result sent the Eagles back to the state finals, where they’ll try to repeat as state champions this week in the best-of-3 finals against Northside-Pinetown at Holly Springs. Stickle was solid throughout the regional. He scored the first run when UCA won in the series opener. He had one of the team’s two…

29 May

Post 45 looking to fit parts together as season launches

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Austin Lemons, Braxton Walker, Carter Brown, Connor Adams, Drew Harmon, Grat Dalton, Jake Riddle, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Tanner Marsh

Manager Ronnie Pugh says that pitching could be strong for Randolph County Post 45. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) Young team to play for Randolph County ASHEBORO – It’s going to take time for Randolph County Post 45 to put it all together with a more youthful roster than in the past. But the group still intends to be one of the top American Legion baseball teams in the state. A week into the season, Post 45 split its first two outings. “We’re getting some things done,” manager Ronnie Pugh said. “All of the things we’re going to put in,…

29 May

Wheatmore denied in quest to return to state soccer final

Randolph RecordSportsClass 2-A, Ellie Garrison, Natalie Bowman, nchsaa, prep soccer, state playoffs, Wheatmore Warriors

MOORESVILLE – Wheatmore’s bid to make it to the state final in girls’ soccer for the third year in a row was dashed Tuesday night. Pine Lake Prep defeated the visiting Warriors 3-2 in the Class 2A West Region final in a rematch from last season. Ellie Garrison scored both goals for the sixth-seeded Warriors (17-5). Natalie Bowman provided an assist. Lucy Lockwood recorded 12 saves, though her four-game shutout streak ended. Avery Garrett, Maddyson Kerley and Morgan Reisig scored goals for top-seeded Pine Lake Prep. The game was tied 1-1 at halftime. Pine Lake Prep (20-1-1) will face East…

29 May

Area Golf: Raleigh man wins tourney at Holly Ridge Golf Links

Randolph RecordSportsArchdale, Carolinas Golf Association, Holly Ridge Golf Links

ARCHDALE – Dale Fuller of Raleigh was the winner in the North Carolina Senior Amateur held earlier this month at Holly Ridge Golf Links. Fuller’s three-round total of 7-under-ar 209 was good for a three-stroke edge on Pinehurst’s Daniel Neveu. Paul Simson, a multi-time champion on the Carolinas Golf Association circuit, from Raleigh, Tee Burton of Shelby and Jonathan Sielsky of Huntersville tied for third place at 3 under. Liberty’s Steve Kidd tied for 20th at 4 over and Gary Pugh of Asheboro was among a three-way tie for 25th at 6 over. Randleman’s Andy Routh didn’t make the cut,…

28 May

Marsh receives tourney MVP honor for UNCW

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro, asheboro baseball, CAA, College baseball, NCAA Tournament, Trevor Marsh, UNCW

WILMINGTON – UNC Wilmington’s Trevor Marsh from Asheboro was the Most Outstanding Player of the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament as the Seahawks repeated as baseball league champions Sunday at Brooks Field. Marsh went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs, including a two with a seventh-inning single that put the Seahawks ahead to stay in second-seeded UNCW’s 6-4 victory against top-seeded College of Charleston. Marsh, a senior center fielder, batted 8-for-13 in the Seahawks’ three tournament games. On Monday, UNCW (39-19) was assigned to the Athens, Ga., site as the No. 2 seed in the four-team, double-elimination NCAA regional. The Seahawks…

27 May

Southwestern Randolph to play state softball finals at UNCG; In baseball, UCA goes back to same site as last year

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, Class 2-A, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s softball team will have to go just one county away to play in the Class 2A state finals this week. The Cougars will take on Midway in the best-of-3 series at UNC Greensboro. The Class 4A series between Garner and Weddington also will be at UNCG. In Class 2A, Game 1 will be at 8 p.m. Friday followed by Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday. If a third game is necessary, it’s tentatively set for 8 pm.. Saturday, though it will move to the 5 p.m. slot if a third game isn’t needed in Class 4A. The other…