12 Gastonia, Shelby baseball, softball teams who could make a deep run in NCHSAA playoffs
It’s win-or-go-home from here for baseball and softball teams in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties.
The 2024 NCHSAA playoffs begin Tuesday, with the tri-county area well represented. Of those in the mix, which ones have the best shot at making a deep run? Here are several teams with a legitimate shot at claiming state gold, along with a few others flying under-the-radar as the postseason gets underway.
LAST WEEK'S HONOR ROLL: Gastonia, Shelby top performers: Burns' Marshall McGowan has career night in Bulldog win
SPRING SPORTS PLAYOFF HUB: Gastonia, Shelby high school baseball, softball, boys tennis postseason scores, schedules
Burns baseball (25-0)
Why it can: Coach Alex Leonhardt’s team has few weaknesses. Opposing pitchers find no respite, seeking answers for a lineup capable of hitting for average and power. Runs are equally difficult to earn on the Bulldogs, boasting a barrage of capable arms led by juniors Hagan Hoyle, Colby Putnam, Jackson Toney and Nickolas Williams, as well as senior Joshua Taylor.
Why it won’t: Is Burns capable of a repeat? Certainly. A loaded NCHSAA 2A West bracket won’t make it easy, though, the Bulldogs potentially taking on three teams it faced on the way to a state title last spring — Lincoln Charter, West Stokes and Morehead.
Cherryville softball (20-2)
Why it can: There are few soft spots in the Cherryville lineup, the group collectively hitting .447 with 16 home runs. Seven Lady Ironmen enter the playoffs batting .400 or better.
Why it won’t: While setting quite the pace — Cherryville scores just shy of 12.5 runs per game — it also permits quite a few runs as well. Opponents are scoring more than four runs per game, a stat to watch as rounds pass.
Crest softball (15-4)
Why it can: Aidan Ledbetter gives her team a shot each night, the junior pitcher with 176 strikeouts in 97 ⅔ innings. She’s pitched three perfect games this season, in addition to two no-hitters.
Why it won’t: Dominant pitchers have had their way against Crest this season. In their four losses, the Chargers have been outscored 19-2.
Kings Mountain softball (18-0)
Why it can: Four Kings Mountain hitters — Kayla McSwain, Maddie Huffman, Kali Weaver and Paige Fleming — each are hitting above .450 while combining for 16 home runs and 90 RBIs. Huffman also begins the playoffs with a 0.76 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 73 ⅔ innings.
Why it won’t: The Mountaineers spent much of the season in cruise control, outside of close matchups with Crest, Forestview and West Lincoln. Adversity is sure to come in a loaded NCHSAA 3A West bracket; how will Kings Mountain respond?
Lincoln Charter baseball (17-7)
Why it can: Since the start of April, Lincoln Charter has won eight of its last 11 games. Few teams hit for power better than the Eagles, who begin the postseason with 15 home runs.
Why it won’t: To reach its potential, a rematch with reigning 2A state champion Burns may be in the cards. The Bulldogs have won the last two matchups, including a 4-3 loss in the 2023 NCHSAA 2A playoffs.
North Lincoln softball (17-4)
Why it can: Few teams roll into the playoffs hotter than the Knights, winners of seven consecutive games and 13 of their last 14. Senior standout Clara Grace Dellinger is hitting .508 with 15 extra-base hits, seven of them going for home runs.
Why it won’t: Despite a late surge which resulted in it tying for second in Western Foothills 3A, most — if not all — of North Lincoln’s playoff journey will be spent on the road.
South Point baseball (15-5)
Why it can: After losing its first three games, the Red Raiders enter the playoffs with wins in 15 of their last 17 games. A bulk of those wins came against Big South 3A opponents, South Point winning the conference by two games.
Why it won’t: In the season’s last 10 games, South Point batters struck out 72 times. While such didn’t hurt them in Big South 3A competition, it could make a difference in a one-and-done scenario.
Also worth keeping an eye on
Cherryville baseball (16-9): Two years ago, coach Scott Heavner led a young Ironmen club to within a win of the NCHSAA 1A state title. Does Cherryville have more magic in store in 2024?
East Lincoln (17-7) and North Lincoln (16-7): A tough Western Foothills 3A has prepared the Lincoln County rivals for what is shaping up to be a rugged NCHSAA 3A West bracket.
Mountain Island Charter softball (10-6): A good draw provides the Raptors an opportunity to sneak into the 1A West playoffs’ second week.
West Lincoln (16-9): The Rebels won’t be an easy out for anyone, proving such in wins over a pair of 2A West’s top teams in Bunker Hill and Maiden to claim the Catawba Valley 2A tournament title last week.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA baseball, softball: Gastonia, Shelby teams who could make playoff run
