Three-run fourth helps (4) Northwest Guilford shutout (29) South Iredell
After holding opponents scoreless in 15 of 23 wins during the regular season, it was fitting that Northwest Guilford twirled a shutout to begin their playoff journey.
Bel Varadi struck out nine and allowed only four hits as the Vikings advanced past South Iredell 5-0.
Northwest is now outscoring teams 39-1 in their last five games.
Jenna Copeland helped Callie Rodrigues turn a one-out walk into a first inning run to take a lead that they would not relinquish.
In the top of the fourth, the middle of South Iredell's order was able to muster consecutive hits. Keyonna Waddell attempted to score from second on a Addison Trego single, but Leyna Hirko gunned her down at the plate to keep the 1-0 advantage in tact.
Hirko drew a walk in the bottom half of the frame, advanced to third on an error, and crossed on a passed ball. McKenzie Whalen inflated the lead to 4-0 with a two-run double that brought home Ella Best and Torey Cagno.
Cagno scored Neveah Scott on a ground out in the bottom of the sixth to give the Vikings a 5-0 lead.
Out of the lead-off spot, Whalen went 2-for-4 with a pair batted in. Varadi and Haylea Huffines doubled, and Scott managed to leg out a triple.
Northwest Guilford has a big second round test on Friday when one of the state's hotter teams, West Forsyth makes the 30 mile trip east. The Titans have won ten consecutive games including a CPC Tournament title over Reagan and a first round battle with conference foe East Forsyth.
Throughout the postseason, HighSchoolOT has live brackets with scoring updates from across the state as they happen. Follow along with baseball, softball, and lacrosse HERE:
