Vikings trip up

Pioneers
By Bryan Lail
Special to the Democrat

MORGANTON — During the annually frigid Freedom Invitational at Shuey Field, Watauga was able to hang tough against the perennial powerhouse Central Cabarrus, but could not overcome the No. 9-ranked Vikings and lost 4-1 Saturday.

Watauga’s jayvee team also dropped two straight in an early evening double header, losing 7-5 to Hibriten and 12-3 to South Caldwell.

Watauga varsity pitcher Nicole Reilly gave up only four runs against a normally explosive Vikings offense over seven full innings of work.

Looking to redeem themselves after a 12-inning losing effort to conference rival North Mecklenburg the day before, Central Cabarrus (5-1) hopped out of the dugout and straight on to the scoreboard in the first inning.

A triple and sacrifice bunt, followed by a home run over the center field wall led to a quick 2-0 lead for the Vikings, before Reilly managed a strike out to end the inning.

After a scoreless second inning on both sides, Central Cabarrus quickly went back to work in the third. A lead-off single followed by a stolen base put the Vikings in position to add one more with an RBI single to take a 3-0 lead.

Watauga (4-6) was stymied by a strong pitching performance, swinging into several high pop-flies and ground outs throughout the game, allowing little opportunity to fight back from their early deficit until late in the sixth inning.

After Central Cabarrus added its fourth and final run in the top of the sixth, the Pioneers began a small rally in the bottom half of the inning. 0Reilly helped her own cause with a single. A double by Beth Wilson brought in Watauga’s lone run of the game, signaling a pitching change for the Vikings.

Hannah Yates moved Wilson over to third with another single, but the Pioneers short lived surge ended with two runners left on base before the Pioneers went on to two quick strike outs in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

Watauga hosts Alexander Central on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.