Cade McCallum delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s game in the Class 1A state playoffs at McCrary Park. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)
ASHEBORO — The timing is right for Eastern Randolph to be playing its best baseball of the season.
The Wildcats won their third consecutive game in the Class 1A state playoffs with Tuesday’s 4-1 victory against Mountain Heritage at McCrary Park.
“We’re getting hot at the right time and it’s a great time to do it,” said Cade McCallum, who pitched a five-hitter.
The Wildcats (14-12-1), who are seeded No. 15 in the West Region, move to Friday night’s fourth-round game at second-seeded Christ the King, a 9-6 winner against sixth-seeded Draughn. Another victory would put Eastern Randolph in the regional finals for the second time in three years.
Outfielder Rayden West was a starter on that 2023 team, so he knows what it takes.
“We put the work in,” West said. “Throughout the season we worked up to this and we’ve stopped making so many errors. I knew we could make a good run.”
After No. 26 seed Mountain Heritage (11-12) scored in the top of the second, Eastern Randolph scored two runs in the bottom of the frame. Maddox Dunn’s bunt delivered the go-ahead run.
In the sixth, West drilled a two-run single.
In the sixth, West drilled a two-run single. Dunn and Will Stalker both finished with two hits.
West, along with senior classmates Stalker, Logan Smith and Alex Kivett, was part of the team that won four games in the 2023 state playoffs.
“You already know what the process is,” West said.
Cookman, in his second season in charge, said the pieces have come together.
“It’s cool to see these seniors lead by example,” Cockman said.
McCallum has pitched in all three of Eastern Randolph’s playoff games, though the complete game was a bonus. He said he had dealt with slight discomfort in the shoulder blade area, but he was fine for this third-round assignment.
“I had confidence in every pitch I threw,” he said.
McCallum, who struck out seven, also came up clutch in the seventh inning after runners reached base. He picked off Liam McMahan at first base for the first out. Then with another Cougar reaching base, he snagged Malachi Huskins’ liner and turned that into a game-ending double play.
“I was hoping for a strikeout,” the right-hander said. “A double play is always better.”
Tuesday’s game location was changed because of unplayable field conditions at Eastern Randolph. The matchup was contested before another relocated game when Randleman defeated Trinity 3-2 in Class 2A.
