Macie Crutchfield - Randolph Record

29 Jun

Randolph County School System superintendent Stephen Gainey set for new NCHSAA role

Bob SuttonSportsEducation, Macie Crutchfield, nchsaa, Randolph County School System, Southwestern Randolph, Stephen Gainey

Stephen Gainey, right, presents an award to Southwestern Randolph pitcher Macie Crutchfield after the Class 2A softball state finals earlier this month in Greensboro. (Jamie Kent / Special to Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Stephen Gainey has been connected to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for a long time. Now, there’s something more for the superintendent of the Randolph County School System. He’s the next president of the NCHSAA, which is the governing organization for sports in public schools in the state. He takes that position July 1. “I love the North Carolina High School Athletic Association,” Gainey said.…

06 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Macie Crutchfield

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Class 2-A, Macie Crutchfield, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, State championships

Southwestern Randolph, softball Crutchfield completed her junior season as the Most Valuable Player of the Class 2A state championship series. She pitched every inning in both games as the Cougars captured the title by sweeping Midway in games held at UNC Greensboro. In those 12 innings (because Game 1 was reduced to five innings by the mercy rule), she compiled 19 strikeouts and issued three walks. Crutchfield is a three-year starter for Southwestern Randolph, racking up high strikeout totals most of the time. She’s also has provided the team with boost at the plate. In the state finals, she had…

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…

25 May

Southwestern Randolph Cougars advance to state finals after tense regionals in softball

Randolph RecordSportsAlyssa Harris, Class 2-A, Macie Crutchfield, Madelyn Smith, North Stanly, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state playoffs, Toby Strider

Southwestern Randolph's Maddie Strider prepares to bunt in a state-playoff game against Walkertown earlier this month. (Scott Pelkey / Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph aims for first state title in 14 years NEW LONDON – Southwestern Randolph’s softball team made enough clutch plays in the Class 2-A West Region finals that was full of tense moments. The Cougars earned a spot in the state championship series by defeating host North Stanly 2-0 on Friday night in the decisive Game 3 behind pitcher Macie Crutchfield’s five-hitter. That means that the Cougars (21-7) have more games to play under first-year coach Toby Strider…

03 May

Southwestern Randolph Cougars capture PAC Tournament in softball

Randolph RecordSportsMacie Crutchfield, Mollie Bulla, PAC Tournament, piedmont athletic conference, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy

ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph pitcher Macie Crutchfield struck out 12 batters and the Cougars won a softball rubber match with host Uwharrie Charter Academy – and this outcome came with a bigger reward. The Cougars claimed the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament championship with a 4-1 victory Thursday night. Southwestern Randolph took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and added a run in the sixth inning. Crutchfield drove in two runs, and Alyssa Harris and Hayleigh Thompson had run-scoring doubles. UCA (17-3-1) won the regular-season title by one game, topping the Cougars 4-3 a week earlier to break a first-place…

22 Apr

Prep Roundup: PAC softball race tightens after upset

Randolph RecordSportsAddie Flinchum, Asheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Ellie Garrison, Macie Crutchfield, Natalie Bowman, Parker Kines, Prep baseball, prep soccer, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Taryn Waugh, UCA Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Anaeli Puente Garza cuts between Randleman’s Jocelyn Segovia, left, and Lacy Nelson during last week’s game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Fourth-place Eastern Randolph muddled the Piedmont Athletic Conference softball race by defeating first-place Southwestern Randolph 4-1 last week with Addie Flinchum striking out seven in the road victory. Uwharrie Charter Academy closed within a half-game of Southwestern Randolph by week’s end. The teams will meet April 25 at Southwestern Randolph to end the regular season. UCA nipped host Eastern Randolph 5-4 behind Mollie Bulla’s pitching. Jayla Hurley and Aubrie Kauffman both doubled and scored a run. Earlier in the week UCA,…

14 Apr

Prep Roundup: Southwestern Randolph, UCA keep torrid softball paces; Wheatmore girls roll in soccer

Randolph RecordSportsAlyssa Harris, Ellie Garrison, Kinzie Ivey, Macie Crutchfield, Macy Allred, Mollie Bulla, prep soccer, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics, Wheatmore athletics

Asheboro’s Chloe Chanmaly looks to make a move on Oak Grove’s Kyrstin Varmer during last week’s girls’ soccer game. Oak Grove claimed a 1-0 home victory. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph’s softball team remained unbeaten in the Piedmont Athletic Conference by winning two league games to go with a non-conference triumph last week. The Cougars completed the week with a 9-0 beating of host Randleman, highlighted by Alyssa Harris’ grand slam. Winning pitcher Macie Crutchfield struck out 11 batters and added to the offense with two runs batted in. Madelyn Smith scored three runs. Southwestern Randolph’s 7-3 triumph at Providence…

11 Mar

Prep roundup: Shutouts dot early softball results

Randolph RecordSportsEllie Garrison, Macie Crutchfield, Prep baseball, prep soccer, Prep softball, Randleman Tigers, Seth Way, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Wheatmore Warriors

Randleman’s Addyson Dees celebrates the final out of last week’s PAC softball victory at Eastern Randolph. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Many area teams have completed two weeks of competition in spring sports. While a few days of scheduled competition were dashed because of inclement weather, here are some recent highlights: Softball Southwestern Randolph began its season with a pair of victories in Piedmont Athletic Conference play under new coach Toby Strider. The Cougars rolled 20-0 at Trinity, with Macie Crutchfield and Alyssa Harris combining on a perfect game, and then defeated visiting Providence Grove 11-1. Crutchfield struck out 10 Providence…

13 Jun

Whitson leaves as Cougars’ softball coach

Randolph RecordSportsChad Whitson, Macie Crutchfield, piedmont athletic conference, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Toby Strider

Chad Whitson coached Southwestern Randolph’s softball team to strong seasons. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph softball coach Chad Whitson has resigned after five seasons, the school announced Monday. The Cougars held a 65-22 record under Whitson’s direction. Toby Strider, who had been an assistant coach, has been promoted to head coach. Strider also previously coached at the middle school. The Cougars positioned a 22-2 record this year, going undefeated in Piedmont Athletic Conference play and ranking among the top teams in the state in Class 2-A. Standout pitcher Macie Crutchfield completed her sophomore season. Infielder Carleigh Whitson,…