SHOCKWAVE IN CREEDMOOR: North Lenoir Stuns South Granville, One Win From State Title Shot

CREEDMOOR —This postseason, North Lenoir hasn’t just been beating teams — they’ve been breaking brackets.

For the fourth straight playoff game, the No. 15-seeded Hawks went on the road and took down a higher seed — this time overwhelming No. 4 South Granville with a 9-1 win in Game 1 of the 2A Eastern Regional Finals. One more win, and North Lenoir will be headed to the state championship series for the first time since 2005.

North Lenoir (18-3) shelled one of the state’s most dominant pitchers, made multiple diving defensive plays, and got a complete-game gem from senior Maddie Rouse in a win that was as complete as it was convincing.

Unraveling an Ace

Chaleigh Currin, South Granville’s senior ace, had been nearly untouchable this season. She entered with a 2.48 ERA, 170 strikeouts, nine no-hitters, and a .175 opponent batting average. North Lenoir didn’t blink.

In seven innings, Currin gave up 12 hits, nine runs (five earned), walked four, and struck out four on 129 pitches — her toughest outing of the season.

The Hawks struck early and often. They scored in five of seven innings, chased down every mistake, and made the most of six Viking errors. It was the first time all year South Granville had allowed more than six runs in a game.

Freshman Delivers in Every Way

Nora Wine, batting out of the eight-hole, turned in the performance of her season — 3-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored, and a diving catch at second base that shut down a South Granville threat in the second inning.

“I just made the play,” Wine said.

She credited Maddie Rouse and Alyssa Hatcher for keeping her steady in the moment: “Maddie and Alyssa — they’re encouraging. They talk to me and help me stay calm.”

“She did tonight what we’ve talked about all season — getting in the box ready to swing, getting on top of the ball, finding a barrel,” said head coach Colby Miller. “She hit the ball incredible. I knew it was coming.”

Rouse in Control

Rouse, the senior right-hander, worked all seven innings — allowing five hits, one unearned run, walking one, and striking out nine on 99 pitches. She also went 1-for-2 at the plate with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored.

Defensively, North Lenoir backed her up with two game-shifting grabs — Wine’s in the second and a full-extension catch in center field by Haley Hemby in the fifth to erase South Granville’s last real spark.

“We talk all year about effort,” Miller said. “Seeing the girls lay out, make big plays, back up Maddie — I’m incredibly proud of them.”

Next Stop: The Swamp

Game 2 is set for Wednesday at 6 p.m. in La Grange. With momentum on their side and one more win needed, North Lenoir has the chance to finish a stunning playoff run with a trip to the state finals.

“The job’s not finished,” Miller said. “Flush everything that happened today — it means nothing tomorrow. Come out ready to play. They will.”