Huntersville, N.C. – It didn’t take long for new faces on the North Meck softball team to make an impact on the Titan-Viking rivalry.
North Meck (5-2, 4-0 conf.) rode the performances of two transfers and a freshman to beat Hopewell 8-2 at North Meck on Tuesday. Northside Christian transfer Sara Allen and freshman Jasmyn Lindsay homered in a five-run sixth inning, while former Central Cabarrus pitcher Morgan Hopper took the mound in the fourth inning to earn the win for North Meck.
Allen’s dinger was her first as a Viking. It also blew the game wide open. Allen drove in three runs on the play, giving North Meck a 6-1 lead. Hopewell heads dropped as the ball sailed over the left field fence.
“I got my favorite pitch,” said Allen, “a flat fastball on the outside of the plate.”
Lindsay followed a batter later with her first Viking home run, a two-run shot that brought home shortstop Lauren Lewis. The North Meck designated hitter was a standout at Bailey middle school last spring, but cracked the starting lineup after just three games this year.
“This was awesome, especially because it was against Hopewell,” said Lindsay. “It was my first game against them, but I know all about the rivalry. I have an older brother and sister that went to North Meck (as students) and I watched the Hopewell-North Meck games all last year.”
With North Meck trailing 1-0, Hopper came in for Allen, who started the game but did not have command of her pitches. The Viking reliever quickly took control of the game, striking out the first five batters faced and retiring eight consecutive Titans.
“Allen did have her stuff today, but we have the luxury of a quality pitcher like Hopper waiting in the bullpen,” said Viking coach Paul Kikta.
Hopewell centerfielder Kristi Giragosian drove in Stephanie Spain for the first run, while pinch hitter Carmin Schelling knocked in teammate Lindsey Russell with a double off the left field wall.
Hopewell felt to 4-4 on the season, 3-3 in the MECA 7 Conference.
North Meck 8, Hopewell 2
Hopewell 100 000 1 – 2 6 2
North Meck 000 305 x – 8 12 1
WP – Hopper (3-1); LP – Russell
Leading hitters: Hopewell – Spain 1-3, R; Giragosian 1-3, RBI; Schelling 1-1, 2B, RBI; North Meck – Andrea Mayne: 3-4, R; Torres: 2-2, R, SAC RBI, SF; Allen 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB; Lindsay 1-4, HR, 2 RBI.
NM record: 5-2, 4-0 conf.
H record: 4-4, 3-3 conf.