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Spring break is approaching, which also means competition among high school baseball and softball teams in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties is kicking into high gear as the postseason approaches.
Here are the USA Today Network’s area baseball and softball power rankings at the start of play April 7.
1. Burns (15-2, 8-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): The Bulldogs have won five straight since a 7-6 loss to Tuscola in nine innings. Over the course of Burns’ winning streak, it has outscored opponents 71-2. Cherryville is on tap this week for the Bulldogs, Southern Piedmont 1A/2A’s last two undefeated teams to meet for a two-game set.
2. Lincoln Charter (14-2, 10-0 Catawba Shores 1A/2A): The Eagles’ only loss in their last 10 games was a 7-2 loss at Burns. Lincoln Charter has bounced back and is on a four-game win streak, during which it has scored a total of 50 runs.
ALL PART OF THE RECIPE: Burns baseball keeps on winning. What ingredients are most key to its sustained success?
IT'S OK TO BE DIFFERENT: How autism awareness has Forestview baseball, softball working for greater cause
3. Crest (11-4, 7-1 Big South 3A): Crest has surged to the top of Big South 3A, aided by last week’s sweep of South Point. After earning a shutout in Belmont, Zack Rayfield provided heroics in the form of a two-run homer in the sixth, lifting the Chargers to a 5-4 victory. Crest has won eight of its last 10 games.
4. Gaston Christian (7-1, 3-1 NCISAA Metrolina): The Eagles have won five in a row since its March 11 loss to Metrolina Christian. During this winning streak, Gaston Christian scored 11 runs per game while allowing only eight. Three Eagles are hitting better than .400, led by senior Logan Davis (.462 BA, 3 2B, 3 RBIs).
5. Cherryville (11-4, 8-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): Cherryville has won eight consecutive games, a stretch which included five victories by way of shutout. Brock Bumgardner played particularly well last week, allowing no runs on two hits with nine strikeouts, along with four hits, a double and four RBIs. Competition ramps up this week when it takes on Burns in a pair of important Southern Piedmont 1A/2A matchups.
Also considered: South Point (10-5, 6-2 Big South 3A); East Lincoln (10-4, 5-3 Western Foothills 3A); North Lincoln (7-7, 6-2 Western Foothills 3A).
1. Crest (13-2, 9-0 Big South 3A): Aside from a 16-0 loss at the hand of South Caldwell, the Chargers’ hopes of a Big South 3A title remain intact. Through nine league matchups, Crest has outscored its opponents 89-5. Allie Summer leads the Chargers with a .548 batting average, a home run, a triple, two doubles and 10 RBIs.
2. Kings Mountain (10-3, 8-1 Big South 3A): The Mountaineers have proven the ability to bounce back from adversity, knocking off Stuart Cramer and Forestview following one-run losses to Crest and West Lincoln. Paige Fleming has played well for Kings Mountain, hitting .421 with three home runs, three doubles and 11 RBIs.
3. North Lincoln (12-3, 7-1 Western Foothills 3A): North Lincoln has won five of its last six games, its only loss a 4-3 setback to West Caldwell. Aniston Moore (.487 BA, 2 HR, 13 RBIs) and Gabby Parker (.413 BA, HR, 12 RBIs) lead a Knight lineup nearing 40 extra-base hits this spring.
4. Lincoln Charter (11-4, 9-1 Catawba Shores 1A/2A): The Eagles’ four-game win streak was snapped last Wednesday in a 7-1 loss to Maiden. Leah Lyerly has provided quite a veteran presence for Lincoln Charter, hitting .528 with two home runs, eight doubles and 12 RBIs. The Eagles are averaging 12 runs per game in league play.
5. East Gaston (13-2, 9-1 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): The Warriors’ only losses have come at the hand of South Point and Cherryville. East Gaston is hitting .431 with 44 extra-base hits, including six home runs going into the week. Seven Warriors with at least 50 at bats are hitting above .400, led by freshman Lexi Wheeler (.533 BA, 27 RBIs).
Also considered: Cherryville (10-5, 7-1 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A); West Lincoln (10-7, 4-6 Catawba Valley 2A); East Lincoln (8-5, 7-1 Western Foothills 3A)
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia, Shelby area high school baseball, softball rankings (April 7, 2025)
Continue reading...
Here are the USA Today Network’s area baseball and softball power rankings at the start of play April 7.
Baseball
1. Burns (15-2, 8-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): The Bulldogs have won five straight since a 7-6 loss to Tuscola in nine innings. Over the course of Burns’ winning streak, it has outscored opponents 71-2. Cherryville is on tap this week for the Bulldogs, Southern Piedmont 1A/2A’s last two undefeated teams to meet for a two-game set.
2. Lincoln Charter (14-2, 10-0 Catawba Shores 1A/2A): The Eagles’ only loss in their last 10 games was a 7-2 loss at Burns. Lincoln Charter has bounced back and is on a four-game win streak, during which it has scored a total of 50 runs.
ALL PART OF THE RECIPE: Burns baseball keeps on winning. What ingredients are most key to its sustained success?
IT'S OK TO BE DIFFERENT: How autism awareness has Forestview baseball, softball working for greater cause
3. Crest (11-4, 7-1 Big South 3A): Crest has surged to the top of Big South 3A, aided by last week’s sweep of South Point. After earning a shutout in Belmont, Zack Rayfield provided heroics in the form of a two-run homer in the sixth, lifting the Chargers to a 5-4 victory. Crest has won eight of its last 10 games.
4. Gaston Christian (7-1, 3-1 NCISAA Metrolina): The Eagles have won five in a row since its March 11 loss to Metrolina Christian. During this winning streak, Gaston Christian scored 11 runs per game while allowing only eight. Three Eagles are hitting better than .400, led by senior Logan Davis (.462 BA, 3 2B, 3 RBIs).
5. Cherryville (11-4, 8-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): Cherryville has won eight consecutive games, a stretch which included five victories by way of shutout. Brock Bumgardner played particularly well last week, allowing no runs on two hits with nine strikeouts, along with four hits, a double and four RBIs. Competition ramps up this week when it takes on Burns in a pair of important Southern Piedmont 1A/2A matchups.
Also considered: South Point (10-5, 6-2 Big South 3A); East Lincoln (10-4, 5-3 Western Foothills 3A); North Lincoln (7-7, 6-2 Western Foothills 3A).
Softball
1. Crest (13-2, 9-0 Big South 3A): Aside from a 16-0 loss at the hand of South Caldwell, the Chargers’ hopes of a Big South 3A title remain intact. Through nine league matchups, Crest has outscored its opponents 89-5. Allie Summer leads the Chargers with a .548 batting average, a home run, a triple, two doubles and 10 RBIs.
2. Kings Mountain (10-3, 8-1 Big South 3A): The Mountaineers have proven the ability to bounce back from adversity, knocking off Stuart Cramer and Forestview following one-run losses to Crest and West Lincoln. Paige Fleming has played well for Kings Mountain, hitting .421 with three home runs, three doubles and 11 RBIs.
3. North Lincoln (12-3, 7-1 Western Foothills 3A): North Lincoln has won five of its last six games, its only loss a 4-3 setback to West Caldwell. Aniston Moore (.487 BA, 2 HR, 13 RBIs) and Gabby Parker (.413 BA, HR, 12 RBIs) lead a Knight lineup nearing 40 extra-base hits this spring.
4. Lincoln Charter (11-4, 9-1 Catawba Shores 1A/2A): The Eagles’ four-game win streak was snapped last Wednesday in a 7-1 loss to Maiden. Leah Lyerly has provided quite a veteran presence for Lincoln Charter, hitting .528 with two home runs, eight doubles and 12 RBIs. The Eagles are averaging 12 runs per game in league play.
5. East Gaston (13-2, 9-1 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): The Warriors’ only losses have come at the hand of South Point and Cherryville. East Gaston is hitting .431 with 44 extra-base hits, including six home runs going into the week. Seven Warriors with at least 50 at bats are hitting above .400, led by freshman Lexi Wheeler (.533 BA, 27 RBIs).
Also considered: Cherryville (10-5, 7-1 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A); West Lincoln (10-7, 4-6 Catawba Valley 2A); East Lincoln (8-5, 7-1 Western Foothills 3A)
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia, Shelby area high school baseball, softball rankings (April 7, 2025)
Continue reading...
