NNS Playoffs Predictions and Previews

🥎 2A Softball: Southwest Edgecombe at North Lenoir (No. 18 vs. No. 15 seed)

North Lenoir Hawks (14-3)

The Hawks concluded the regular season with a strong 14-3 record, showcasing a potent offense and solid defense. Key contributors include Jayla Ross, Kailey Bridwell, Lakyn Whitley, Hallie Fowler, and Alyssa Hatcher, but ultimately this team is led by slugger Maddie Rouse, who also anchors the rotation as the team’s ace. North Lenoir finished second in the ECC and enters the postseason poised to do major damage. This is not a team anyone wants to see in the early rounds.

Southwest Edgecombe Cougars (13-5)

The Cougars, with a 13-5 record, have demonstrated resilience and competitiveness throughout the season. They’ve won 12 of their last 14 games and finished third in the EPC. Offensively, six players are batting over .373, led by No. 7 Mackenzie Moore (.491 avg, 24 RBIs, 10 doubles, 1 HR). On the mound, expect to see No. 12 Mackenzie Rogers, who has a 2.47 ERA across 15 appearances with 134 strikeouts in 73 innings, walking just 13 batters out of 329 faced.

Prediction: Hawks win 8-1
Game Time: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at North Lenoir High School, La Grange

⚾ 2A Baseball: Northwood at South Lenoir (No. 27 vs. No. 6 seed)

South Lenoir Blue Devils (17-3)

South Lenoir capped off a dominant season with a 17-3 record and the ECC championship. Senior Matthew Rhodes is the ace of the staff and brings veteran poise every time he takes the mound. At the plate, the Devils are powered by six hitters batting over .300, headlined by senior Jake Howard (.508), Braden Barnett (.475), and Rhodes (.466). Together, that trio has combined for 62 RBIs, 25 doubles, 4 triples, and 3 home runs. With that kind of production and experience, South Lenoir looks like a team built to chase a ring.

Northwood Chargers (13-9)

The Chargers finished third in the Mid-Atlantic 1A/2A split conference and bring some quality wins into the postseason, including victories over No. 22 Southeast Alamance, No. 9 Seaforth, and 4A Chapel Hill. This is a young group—just three seniors, with a core of sophomores and freshmen—but they’ve shown they can compete with anyone.

Prediction: Blue Devils win 5-0
Game Time: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at South Lenoir High School, Deep Run

🥎 2A Softball: St. Pauls at South Lenoir (No. 27 vs. No. 6 seed)

South Lenoir Blue Devils (13-6)

The ECC champions wrapped up their season at 13-6 and look balanced across the board. With five players hitting above .345, the lineup is led by Rylan Wade (.462) and Callie Tyndall (.415). In the circle, South Lenoir boasts a 1-2 punch with Tyndall (5-2, 2.49 ERA) and Jade Sasnett (7-1, 2.38 ERA). This is a team that has all the tools to make a deep playoff run.

St. Pauls Bulldogs (10-11)

Don’t be fooled by the record—St. Pauls has taken down some impressive opponents, including No. 21 West Bladen, 4A Pine Forest, and 3A Heide Trask. This is a senior- and junior-heavy squad led by one of the top hitters in the state, No. 14 Angel Purcell (.561 avg, 43 RBIs, 6 2Bs, 5 3Bs, 11 HRs), and Ke’Mya Baldwin (.449 avg, 22 RBIs, 4 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 4 HRs). On the mound, expect senior Kayla Williams (6-3, 14 appearances) to get the start.

Prediction: Blue Devils win 4-2
Game Time: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at South Lenoir High School, Deep Run

⚾ 2A Baseball: Greene Central at Midway (No. 20 vs. No. 13 seed)

Greene Central Rams (13-8)

The defending 2A state champs finished 13-8 and fourth in the EPC. Even so, they landed the No. 20 seed in a loaded conference that sent five teams to the postseason. The Rams are led at the plate by five hitters batting above .333—Austin Oliver, Easton Creech, Riley Radford, Logan Burress, and Will Radford. On the mound, junior Riley Radford leads the rotation with a 6-3 record, 2.49 ERA, and 82 strikeouts in 53 innings. With their pitching and experience, the Rams are built to play spoiler.

Midway Raiders (18-7)

Midway finished 18-7 and enters the playoffs with revenge on its mind after last year’s playoff loss to Greene Central in Snow Hill. The Raiders are deep, balanced, and dangerous, with six hitters batting over .320. They’ve notched key wins against 3A South Johnston, No. 21 North Lenoir, No. 6 South Lenoir, 4A West Johnston, No. 15 Clinton, and No. 1 West Bladen. On the mound, sophomore Tanner Williams is expected to get the ball. He has 6 wins with a 2.84 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 44 innings.

Prediction: Rams win 2-1
Game Time: Tuesday, 7 p.m. at Midway High School, Dunn

⚾ 2A Baseball: North Lenoir at South Granville (No. 21 vs. No. 12 seed)

North Lenoir Hawks (14-8)

North Lenoir came within one game of winning the ECC title and grabbing a No. 1 seed. They’ve logged statement wins over No. 13 Midway and No. 6 South Lenoir. The Hawks feature five hitters batting over .360 and are led by Carter Chadwick (.394 avg) and Garrett Byrd (.431 avg). That duo has combined for 43 RBIs, 12 doubles, and 9 home runs. Byrd also serves as the team’s ace, posting a 3-2 record, 2.48 ERA, and 78 strikeouts in 48 innings.

South Granville Vikings (13-10)

The Vikings finished first in the Northern Lakes Athletic 2A/3A and come in with the lowest RPI among conference champions. Of their 13 wins, just two came against teams with winning records—both over No. 31 seed Louisburg. The team is led by senior CF Cooper Wilkins (.453 avg, 20 RBIs, 6 2Bs, 1 HR), who also pitches. On the mound, Wilkins owns a 5-4 record with 81 strikeouts in 53 innings. South Granville’s biggest weapon might be its aggression on the basepaths—they’ve racked up 140 stolen bases this season.

Prediction: Hawks win 4-0
Game Time: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at South Granville High School

⚾ 1A Baseball: Jones Senior at Perquimans (No. 30 vs. No. 3 seed)

Jones Senior Trojans (8-11)

Jones finished 8-11 and placed fourth in its conference. The Trojans are powered by a pair of standouts in Garris Andrews (.410 avg) and Gage Mustachia (.442 avg), who have combined for 19 RBIs and 10 doubles.

Perquimans Pirates (19-5)

Perquimans is a perennial 1A title contender with wins over Manteo, Holmes, Tarboro, and Martin County. Nine players are hitting above .300, and the pitching staff features four arms with at least three wins. The Pirates are deep, experienced, and playing for another state championship push.

Prediction: Pirates win 8-1
Game Time: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Perquimans High School, Hertford

⚾ NCCSA AA Baseball: Bethel Christian Academy vs. Vandalia Christian (2nd Round)

Bethel Christian Academy Trojans (11-4)

The Trojans are red hot, winning 9 of their last 10 and steamrolling their first-round opponent 26-1. Cooper Williams, Braden Cash, Jamey Williams, and Jason Turnage headline a powerful lineup that’s combined for 71 RBIs, 12 2Bs, 3 3Bs, and 3 HRs. Three different pitchers have notched at least three wins. With most starters back from last year’s state runner-up squad, Bethel is primed for another title run.

Vandalia Christian Vikings (10-6)

The Vikings advanced in dramatic fashion with a 1-0 extra-inning win on the road. Before that, they had dropped 3 of their last 5. Offensively, they’re led by Chase Brown (.450 avg), Cole Boody (.449), and Nate Collins (.480). With Collins likely unavailable after a long outing in Round 1, expect Brown (3-1, 2.43 ERA) to get the start.

Prediction: Trojans win 9-3
Game Time: Tuesday, 4 p.m. at Bethel Christian Academy, Kinston

⚾ NCISAA Baseball: Arendell Parrott Academy at Thales Academy Rolesville (1st Round)

Arendell Parrott Academy Patriots (17-8)

The Patriots ride a five-game win streak into the postseason and will be tested on the road in Rolesville. Led by seniors Cade Mixon, Jaylen Solomon, and Jojo Ferebee, APA has scored 10 or more runs in 10 games. However, they’re just 7-8 when scoring fewer than 10. That puts added pressure on the pitching staff, which will need to hold up if the bats aren’t hot.

Thales Academy Knights (12-6)

Despite being a young squad with no seniors, Thales can flat out hit. Four players are batting over .400, led by sophomore Cooper Nash (.550 avg, 20 RBIs, 2 2Bs, 5 3Bs, 2 HRs). Nash also leads the team in innings pitched, but the Knights have four different arms with five or more appearances.

Prediction: Patriots win 10-8
Game Time: Tuesday, 4 p.m. at Thales Academy, Rolesville