Central’s Sondra Berry takes a throw at first for an out.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Harnett Central edged All American 3-A/4-A Conference and Harnett County rival Triton in a pair of varsity contests, winning by just one in both girls soccer and softball on Tuesday night.
After Harnett Central led early, Triton rallied, but the Trojans scored in the top of the seventh inning to win 7-6 on the softball field and stay unbeaten in conference play.
“We had told them coming into this week, ‘Expect the absolute best,’” said Harnett Central softball coach Ashley Gaines. “‘Regardless of what records show, always expect the absolute best,’ because that’s what a Triton and Harnett Central rivalry game is. It’s always the absolute best of both teams. Our girls having been fighting like this all season, but tonight you saw the real fire and intensity come out of them.”
Sophomore Lauren Faulkner had two hits, including a triple, and two runs scored and junior Kacey Fulcher had two hits and one run scored to lead the Trojans (16-3, 13-0 AAC).
Sondra Berry had a home run. Ava Faucette had a double and a run scored. Savannah Bain had one hit and one run scored. Ella Mangum, Ashley Bliven and Haleigh Moss had one hit apiece. Evan Blake scored once.
T.K. McLean had a home run, Stephanie Davis had a double and a run scored, Gracie Byrd, Ashley Pope and Shelby McLamb each had one hit and one run scored, Berkley Campbell had a double and Cameron Pope scored once for the Hawks (12-9, 9-4).
Central scored one run in the third inning and two in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. After Triton scored one run in the bottom of the fourth, Central added two more in the fifth to lead 5-1. But the Hawks responded with five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 6-5 lead before Central scored to tie it in the top of the sixth.
Faulkner led off the top of the seventh and scored the game-winner when Berry reached on an error.
Girls soccer
On the soccer field, Harnett Central scored early and maintained the lead the rest of the way to win 1-0 over Triton.
Senior Ava Hollingsworth scored the lone goal of the game for the Trojans (11-2-1, 9-2-1), assisted by senior Galilea Ruiz just under three minutes into the game.
The game was also senior night for Triton’s girls soccer team. After the game, the Hawks (6-12-1, 4-8-1) honored six seniors: Nicole House, Emily Mendez, Haley Core, Kate Cochran, Hannah Thomas and Gabriela Alvarado.
Harnett Central’s girls soccer team is at home against conference opponent Terry Sanford (11-3-1, 10-0-1) on Wednesday before hosting Triton to end the regular season on Monday. Triton and Central meet again at Central in softball on Thursday to end the regular season.
Central’s Lauren Faulkner leads off the seventh with a triple.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Kacey Fulcher gets a bunt single for the Trojans.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Gracie Byrd gets a base hit for the host Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Veronica Uhl of Harnett Central plays the ball with her head at Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Gallilea Ruiz (20) pushes ahead for the Trojans at Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Sherlyn Ordonez controls for Harnett Central in a 1-0 win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Kate Cochran kicks the ball away for the Hawks on Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Triton goalie Nicole House gains control.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Mary Charlotte Pope (12) gains possession against the rival Trojans.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
