3A state playoffs
CLAYTON — The Northwood softball team ran into the proverbial buzz saw May 7 in Clayton as Anna Kate Gilchrist hurled a no-hitter and Cleveland pounded out 13 hits in a 12-0 rout of the Chargers in five innings in opening round action of the NCHSAA 3A State Playoffs.
Northwood, the No. 27 seed in the East, closed the season at 15-8 overall while Cleveland, the No. 6 seed in the East, advance on to the second round contest versus Grays Creek with a 15-5 mark.
Gilchrist was sharp the entire night as the senior hurler faced just 18 batters, threw 83 pitches, and allowed three walks while striking out nine.
Meanwhile, Cleveland was busy at the plate providing Gilchrist with more than enough run support with three runs in the first before adding one in the second, three in the third, and five in the fourth.
Caris Allen led the Rams attack with a 2-for-3 effort with an RBI, two runs, a double and a walk while Paige Smith was 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI, and Gilchrist 2-for-3 with a double.
Nikki Piatek tripled and Kayla Womack homered for Cleveland in the win.
The loss for what is a young Northwood team closed out great careers for seniors Mayci Springle, Hannah Weigle, Allison Coker and Morgan Crutchfield.