Here’s a look at the top matchups on deck this week for high school baseball and softball teams in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties.
Burns-Cherryville baseball (April 8 and 11)
Burns (15-2, 8-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A) has won 22 consecutive games in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A competition. The last team to beat the Bulldogs? Cherryville, the Ironmen taking a 6-3 victory in the 2023 league tournament final.
This week’s two-game set is equally important, with Burns and Cherryville each carrying an 8-0 record in league play.
Burns has outscored league opponents 136-1 thus far, including 27 unanswered runs this past week in a two-game sweep over East Gaston. Meanwhile, Cherryville (11-4, 8-0) has scored better than 10 runs per game in conference play. The Ironmen took a pair of hard-fought matchups with Highland Tech last week.
Burns-Cherryville softball (April 8 and 11)
After dropping a pair last week to East Gaston, Burns (8-5, 5-3 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A) attempts to keep pace in Southern Piedmont 1A/2A when it meets Cherryville (10-5, 7-1) for a two-game set. The Bulldogs begin the week two games behind East Gaston and Cherryville in the loss column.
Burns’ Karlye Clay had four hits last week against East Gaston. Cherryville enters with a hot hitter of its own, Landyn McBride going 5-for-7 with two triples, two RBIs and five runs scored last week against Highland Tech.
Forestview at South Point softball (Tuesday, April 8)
Last month, Miley Skidmore’s three hits and a patient approach at the plate — including 11 walks — allowed Forestview to outlast South Point, 8-7. With the postseason swiftly approaching, Tuesday’s matchup comes with greater stakes for both.
Prior to a loss Friday night, South Point’s (9-4, 5-4 Big South 3A) NCHSAA 3A West RPI of 24 would qualify it for postseason play. Meanwhile, Forestview (6-9, 5-4) would just miss the playoffs, ranked No. 33.
North Gaston-Crest baseball (April 8 and 10)
Following a sweep of South Point, Crest (11-4, 7-1 Big South 3A) has surged to the top of Big South 3A. However, there’s still much work to accomplish on its way to a Big South 3A crown.
This week’s task includes a two-game set with North Gaston (9-4, 6-2). The Wildcats have won six of their last seven games, though only one of those teams — Kings Mountain — currently has a winning record. North Gaston has an opportunity to change that this ...
