For the first time all season, the East Lincoln softball team had to play an extra inning, but the first game of a three-game series for the West Region championship in the NCHSAA 3A playoffs ended with the Mustangs getting their 22nd victory as they beat Rockingham County 1-0.
Tuesday's game was a pitchers duel, and if you're playing one of those, it helps to have Leah Correll. The visitors threatened, but Correll managed to survive the threat; then Tatum Martin got things started with a base hit--her third of the game; Betsy Eatmon also had a single and with nobody out, East had runners at first and second and Jaelyn Freeston coming up to bat.
East loaded the bases with one out and Lyla Haywood's sacrifice fly finished it off.
The Mustangs had eight hits, but two double plays by Rockingham County kept it scoreless until the eighth inning. Correll allowed just four hits by the Cougars.
Game two in the series will be Thursday (6 PM) at Rockingham County High School in Wentworth just northwest of Reidsville (GPS: 180 High School Road, Reidsville, NC 27320). If needed, the third game will be at East Lincoln Friday at 6 PM.
One other area team is still alive in the state playoffs. In 2A baseball, the Burns Bulldogs won the first game of their three-game series with Eden Morehead by 7-0 score.
