Kristina Kennedy’s home run sent the Eagles into the NCISAA semifinals.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)

Kristina Kennedy hit the first pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning for a home run to right center to give host Cape Fear Christian Academy an 8-7 walk-off win over Albemarle in the quarterfinals of the NCISAA 1-A softball tournament on Friday.

“Kika picked a good time to hit her first over-the-fence home run,” said Eagles coach Sterling Holmes.

CFCA (9-5), the fourth seed, travels to top-seeded Halifax (14-3) for the semifinals on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Kennedy caught for the Eagles as Aubrey Horne was out with a strep throat. Horne is expected back for Tuesday’s game.

The Colts tied the score at 7 with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh.

A breeze was blowing out to center field and each team took advantage of the conditions for a pair of home runs. CFCA starting pitcher Glenna McLamb had a homer in addition to striking out nine in five innings.

Rhyleigh Horne went the last two innings in the circle for the Eagles with two whiffs.

The Eagles had nine hits. Kennedy had a double in addition to her game-ending drive.

Horne was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Larah Tripp had a triple and an RBI. New addition Bailey Dorman had a double.

Niah Torres and Averi Williams had hits. Megan Harrold walked three times and scored twice.

Holmes credited the defense of seventh-grade second baseman Annabelle Scott.

“It was a team effort,” said the CFCA coach.

Bailey Dorman connects for CFCA in an 8-7 win over Albemarle.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)

Bailey Dorman stops at second base with a double,
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)

Coach Sterling Holmes brings Rhyleigh Horne to the circle in the sixth.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)

CFCA home run hitters Kristina Kennedy (left) and Glenna McLamb.
(Facebook/Lolita Tripp)