Erwin third baseman Carleigh Hamby applies the tag to catch an Angier runner stealing after the throw from catcher Whitni Royal on Monday night in the Tar Heel district tournament at Al Woodall Park.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

The first night of the Tar Heel Leagues 12-and-under District IV softball tournament at Al Woodall Municipal Park in Erwin on Monday saw the host team advance to the championship round by holding off Western Harnett in the first game and scoring 19 unanswered runs to rally past Angier in the second game.

A five-run first inning powered Erwin to a 6-3 win over Western Harnett in the first game of the evening.

Baylee Reagan had two hits, including a double and Ashari Watlington, Camryn Conway, Reese Penny, Carleigh Hemby, Jenna Underwood and Sabrina Black scored one run apiece in game one for Erwin.

Watlington, Erwin’s leadoff hitter and starting third baseman, suffered an injury in the second inning, leaving Erwin shorthanded for the remainder of the opening night.

For Western, Allyson Vest had one hit and one run scored. Gianna McDonald had a triple. Kylie Harrington had one hit. Liz LeRouge and Adriana Hanke scored one run apiece.

Erwin scored five runs in the first inning on walks and miscues and later added another in the fifth. Western scored one run apiece in the second, fourth and fifth innings.

In the second game, Erwin fell behind 11-2 early, but rallied to top Angier 21-11.

Black had three hits and two runs scored to lead Erwin in the second game.

McKenna Moore had two hits and three runs scored. Conway and Madelyn Parker each had two hits and one run scored. Penny had one hit and four runs scored. Whitni Royal had one hit and three runs scored. Reagan and Lexi Davis each had one hit and two runs scored. Underwood scored twice. Hemby scored once.

Evan Blake and Bella Zuniga each had two hits and one run scored to lead Angier.

Vanessa James had one hit and one run scored. Christina Clark had one hit. Haleigh Moss had two runs scored. Sondra Berry, Khloe Mitchell, Emily Denning, Zia Nickens, Mattison Jones and Shelby Reichart scored one run apiece.

Angier held an 11-2 lead heading into the bottom of the second inning. Erwin proceeded to score 19 runs over the next four innings to take the win.

Angier and Western Harnett will meet in an elimination game at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The winner meets Erwin in the championship series immediately after that game. An Erwin win would make the hosts the district champions. An Erwin loss would force a decisive game Wednesday.

Western Harnett second baseman Gianna McDonald throws to first for an out. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Western Harnett’s Liz LeRouge slides home to score on a passed ball.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Erwin’s Whitni Royal connects for a hit on Monday night in the District IV tournament. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Angier catcher Evan Blake makes the tag for an out at the plate.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)