History Made in Deep Run: South Lenoir Punches Ticket to First-Ever State Championship Series with Game 3 Win Over Midway

DEEP RUN, N.C. — It wasn’t just the biggest game in South Lenoir baseball history — it felt like the whole town showed up to carry it across the finish line.

The fences were three rows deep. Fans wrapped around the outfield. Toddlers wearing powered blue. Grandparents leaned against the foul poles. When the final out was squeezed, Deep Run didn’t just cheer — it erupted.

For the first time ever, South Lenoir is heading to the NCHSAA 2A State Championship Series, clinching the East with a dramatic 5-4 victory over Midway on Saturday in Game 3 of the Regional Finals.

After the game, head coach Paul Novicki, a lifelong Blue Devil, called it the greatest moment of his life and said he was incredibly proud of his team. He took a moment to look around at the overflowing crowd and added, “It’s awesome, man. You see all the people here? It’s Memorial Day weekend — they ain’t at the beach, they’re here. That’s huge for our community, and I just appreciate everything they do for us.”

Midway struck first in the top of the second, scoring two runs off a Luke Peterson triple and a Camden Wilson RBI double. But South Lenoir stormed back in the bottom of the third.

With two outs and the season hanging in the balance, Gage Howard stepped into the box and changed the momentum with one swing. “I knew we had two outs, and that guy wasn’t throwing anything special,” Howard said. “He threw me an inside fastball, and I just ripped it down the line.” The bases-clearing double scored three and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Howard, known for his tireless work ethic, said he had prepared for that moment every single day. “Every day we get in the cages and hit, hit, and hit — on the weekend, all the time.” Even Coach Novicki and assistant principal David Combs have joked about having to run him out of the cages multiple times this season.

Austin Clements followed up with an RBI single, and Matthew Rhodes added an RBI double, giving South Lenoir a 5-2 lead that would carry them through the final four innings.

“I just wanted to pitch and let my guys play defense, and that was it,” said Clements, who gave the Blue Devils 4.0 innings of work on the mound, allowing five hits, two runs, and striking out one. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate.

When Clements handed the ball over, Braden Barnett took over with ice in his veins. “Ultimately, my defense went to work,” Barnett said. “My stuff was a lot better tonight, and I’m just happy we came out with the win.” Barnett threw the final 3.0 innings, allowing two earned runs but walking none, and faced the top of Midway’s order with the season on the line.

Midway chipped away with two more runs in the top of the sixth, closing the gap to 5-4. The Raiders threatened again in the top of the seventh, putting a runner on and sending the go-ahead run to the plate.

Then came the ending.

With one out and a runner at first, Midway grounded into a tailor-made double play. But as South Lenoir’s infield turned the pivot, the Midway baserunner came sliding into second with his arms raised, contacting the second baseman and drawing an immediate interference call. The umpire threw up his hands. Automatic double play. Ballgame.

It wasn’t just a win — it was a stunner.

Howard finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, two runs, and a flawless day at shortstop. Clements matched him with two hits and an RBI, and Rhodes added a double and an RBI of his own. South Lenoir turned two double plays, committed no errors, and never gave up the lead once they claimed it.

Midway outhit the Devils 9-7, but South Lenoir made the moments count. Peterson and Wyatt Herring had two hits each for the Raiders.

This was South Lenoir’s first-ever appearance in the Regional Finals — and they didn’t just show up. They made history.

Next up is Burlington Athletic Stadium, where the Blue Devils will face East Rutherford (28-1) in the 2A State Championship Series.

• Game 1: Friday, May 30 – 5 p.m.

• Game 2: Saturday, May 31 – 11 a.m.

• Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, May 31 – 5 p.m.

This isn’t a dream anymore.

It’s Deep Run reality.