NC Roundup: I-MECK 4A Semi-Finals - May 1

No. 1 Lake Norman Wins in Grand Fashion

Into the 6th inning, Hopewell RHP Hayden Gresham kept No. 1 Lake Norman at bay while Hopewell took a 3-0 lead. In the 6th, Anthony Palma led off with a single and moved to 2B when Vance Anderson was hit by a pitch.  Still with no outs, Gage Smith singled on a hard ground ball to short, advancing both runners, and loading the bases. Sr LHP/OF Jonathan Perez then took a 3-1 pitch and deposited it over the center field fence, giving Lake Norman a lead they would never relinquish.  Lake Norman would add an unearned run later in the inning pushing their lead to 5-3.

Perez started on the bump for the Wildcats, working 5.1 innings allowing 1 earned run while striking out 3.  In relief Carter Sheppard got the win, getting the final two outs in the 6th. Sr. Sam Zayicek earned the save with 1 inning of work, striking out 3.