For the first time since winning it all in 2010, Southwestern Randolph softball is state championship bound.

The Cougars rallied back from a 1-0 series deficit, and defeated North Stanly 2-0 on Friday night to claim the 2A western regional title.

Macie Crutchfield’s dominant postseason run continued. The junior spun a five-hit shutout with five strikeouts in the victory. Runs in the third and sixth proved to be plenty.

A two-out rally broke the ice for Southwestern Randolph. Lillian Payne bunted her away aboard, stole second, and scored on an error.

The sixth inning insurance run came courtesy of Wednesday night’s hero Madelyn Smith. She singled to start the frame, stole second, and crossed on a single to center by Alyssa Harris.

North Stanly tried to mount a comeback in the last of the seventh. Sophia Crist and Emma Sanders managed to reach on back-to-back one-out singles.

With the tying run on base, and the winning run at the plate, Crutchfield buckled down to get a pop out to left and strikeout to win it.

The Cougars will be playing for their fifth title in program history and second in the 2A classification (2001). From 2007 to 2010, Southwestern Randolph won three of four 3A state championships.

Midway, who is appearing in its second straight 2A state championship series, swept Martin County on Thursday night to claim the 2A east title.

On Monday, the NCHSAA will announce locations and game times for next weekend’s championships. The 2A series will be played at either UNC Greensboro or Duke University. HighSchoolOT will have full coverage from both locations.

Source: highschoolot.com