NCHSAA 3rd Round Preview and Predictions

🥎 2A Softball: #15 North Lenoir at #7 Camden Co.

North Lenoir Hawks (16-3)
1st Round 19-4 vs Southwest Edgecombe
2nd Round 4-0 vs Roanoke Rapids

Camden Co (16-8)
1st Round 10-0 vs Ayden Grifton
2nd Round 4-2 vs Heide Trask

Camden County Preview:
Camden County is 16-8 entering the third round of the 2A playoffs as the No. 7 seed. They’re 8-2 at home and winners of a tough 2A/3A split conference. This is a program built on sustained success—15 straight winning seasons, a 259-74 record in that span, and a 2021 state championship to back it up.

Offensively, the Bruins have scored 226 runs this year while allowing just 84. Six players are hitting over .300. Junior Audrey Jones leads the charge with a .426 average, 24 RBIs, 6 doubles, and 3 home runs. Junior Ellie Barker adds 16 RBIs, 11 doubles, 1 triple, and a homer. Junior Kaitlynn Barnes brings balance and power, batting .364 with 10 RBIs, 5 doubles, 4 triples, and 3 homers.

In the circle, senior Cayleigh Martin is their goto pitcher. She's pitched in 22 games for 69 innings, allowing 30 earned runs, walking just 7, striking out 29, and giving up 9 home runs.

This is a deep roster: 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 6 sophomores, and 5 freshmen. They hit, they defend, and they win—especially at home. Camden doesn’t need hype. The numbers do the talking.

Prediction: This should be a slugfest!! I think the Hawks have the better pitcher in the circle and ultimately I think that will be the deciding factor. Camden is going to hit the ball but the Hawks will too! Im taking North Lenoir to advance to Round 4!!!! Hawks win 9-7
Game Time: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Camden if weather permits! (Postponed to Wednesday)

🥎 2A Softball: #6 South Lenoir at #3 Martin Co.

South Lenoir (15-6)
1st Round 7-3 vs St Pauls
2nd Round 13-6 vs Southeast Alamance

Martin Co (21-4)
1st Round 8-0 vs Fairmont
2nd Round 2-1 vs Eastern Wayne

Martin County Preview:
Martin County enters the third round at 21-4, finishing second in a competitive 1A/2A split conference behind perennial contender Perquimans. The Gators have been explosive on both ends—scoring 281 runs while allowing just 85 this season. This is a young but battle-tested squad with deep postseason experience after going 25-4 in 2023 and falling in the 2A East regional finals to Midway. They returned all but two players from that team.

This year’s roster features just 2 seniors, 1 junior, 7 sophomores, and 5 freshmen. Despite the youth, production is not lacking—9 players are hitting over .300, and 5 have at least 20 RBIs. The offense is anchored by senior Ty’Hiera Wooten, who leads the team with a .459 average, 31 RBIs, 5 doubles, 4 triples, and a home run. Fellow senior Erica Sturgill bats .319 with 26 RBIs, 5 doubles, and 6 home runs.

Sturgill also leads in the circle and is as dominant as they come. She’s appeared in 22 games, throwing 114 innings with a 19-3 record. She’s notched 16 complete games, 10 shutouts, and a no-hitter. Sturgill has allowed just 32 earned runs on 405 batters faced, striking out 142 and walking only 23.

With returning firepower, a dominant ace, and postseason scars from last year’s deep run, the Gators are built for this moment. This team doesn’t flinch, and they’re coming for more.

Prediction: This will come down to defense and pitching. I have said all year long South Lenoir is built for deep playoff runs, they are prepared for this game. I do believe it can go either way but just like last week the Blue Devils show poised in desperate times and don’t think they flinch this week. Im taking SL 2-0.
Game Time: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Martin Co. (Postponed to Wednesday)

2A Baseball: #6 South Lenoir at #3 Whiteville

South Lenoir (19-3)
1st Round 6-5 vs Northwood
2nd Round 6-0 vs Southeast Alamance

.Whiteville (18-4)
1st Round 6-5 vs Washington
2nd Round 6-0 vs Farmville

Whiteville Preview:
Whiteville is the No. 3 seed in the 2A East with an 18-4 overall record. They finished first in their 1A/2A split conference and are 11-0 at home this season. The Wildcats are nine-time state champions and reached the East Regional Final last year before falling to Greene Central. They have not had a losing season in the past 15 years and only graduated four players from last year’s team.

The roster includes 6 seniors, 3 juniors, 5 sophomores, and 3 freshmen. Junior Caleb Johnson went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs, 2 runs, and 2 doubles in the second-round win over Farmville Central. Freshman Nate Merritt pitched a complete-game shutout in that same game, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, and no runs over 7 innings. With Merritt likely unavailable due to rest, sophomore Camden Butler is expected to start. He threw 6 innings in the first round against No. 30 Washington, allowing 5 hits, 5 runs, 1 walk, and recording 2 strikeouts.

Prediction: Whiteville is a historical powerhouse, however South Lenoir is a powerhouse right now! Whiteville has the experience of a deep playoff team and so does South Lenoir. The game will come down to who ever makes the most mistakes will lose the game. I believe in the Blue Devils, I believe in their leadership, I believe in their experience. It won’t be easy but think South Lenoir pulls it out 4-1 at Whiteville.
Game Time: Tuesday, TBA at Whiteville