Vikings Fall as Hawks Ascend — But the Flight Isn’t Finished
WHEAT SWAMP, N.C. — With a state title in sight and a fired-up crowd behind them, the North Lenoir Hawks delivered a commanding 13–4 win over South Granville on Wednesday night to clinch a trip to the NCHSAA 2A State Championship.
But don’t mistake the celebration for satisfaction.
Because for the Hawks, the job isn’t done yet.
After a 9–1 rout of the Vikings on the road the night before, North Lenoir wasted no time asserting itself in Game 2 of the best-of-three East Regional final. The Hawks exploded for seven runs — all with two outs — in the bottom of the first inning, setting the tone for what would become a statement win.
With two quick groundouts to start the inning, it looked like a quiet frame. Then Maddie Rouse sparked the rally with a sharp single to left. Alyssa Hatcher followed with a single of her own before Jayla Ross doubled into left field to bring home Rouse and break the scoring open.
That was just the beginning.
Allie Reaves, Kailey Bridwell and Norah Wine followed with singles, with Reaves and Bridwell recording RBIs. Bases-loaded walks drawn by Haley Hemby and Lakyn Whitley pushed two more across. Hallie Fowler capped the surge with a two-run single to give the Hawks a 7–0 lead and bring the Wheat Swamp crowd to its feet.
Rouse continued her dominant night at the plate with a solo home run in the third inning, stretching the lead to 8–0.
South Granville got on the board with one run in the fourth and two more in the fifth to make it 8–3, but North Lenoir never blinked. The Hawks answered quickly, as Hatcher delivered an RBI single and Ross walked with the bases loaded to bring in another run.
The Vikings added their final run in the sixth, but the Hawks weren’t finished. Rouse tripled in two more runs, and Hatcher added another RBI — this time aided by a South Granville error — to push the final margin to nine.
Rouse led the charge for North Lenoir, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a walk. She also went the distance in the circle, pitching all seven innings while allowing nine hits, four runs, two walks and striking out four.
Ross and Fowler each finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Hatcher, Whitley, Reaves, Bridwell and Hemby all drove in one run apiece in the team effort. In two games, the Hawks outscored the Vikings 22–5 and handed them their first multi-game losing streak of the season — a rare feat against one of the most dangerous offenses in 2A softball.
North Lenoir head coach Colby Miller praised the complete team effort.
“I’m extremely proud of these girls. I’ll be honest, every single one of them deserves it,” Miller said. “They have all done things this year to contribute, they have all done things tonight to contribute — I’m just extremely proud of these girls.”
With the win, North Lenoir advances to the 2A State Championship series, which begins late next week. The opponent will be either West Wilkes or Randleman.
The Hawks are one step away. And they’re not just showing up — they’re coming for it all.
