Kings Mountain Mountaineers Secure Spot in State Finals

In a thrilling regional showdown on Saturday, the Kings Mountain Mountaineers edged out the Piedmont Panthers with a 2-0 victory in Game 3 of the 2024 NCHSAA Softball State Championships, advancing to the state finals next week.

Mountaineers' ace Madeline Huffman dominated the mound, showcasing her power and endurance by pitching a complete game. Huffman fanned nine batters and allowed no earned runs, keeping the Panthers' offense at bay throughout the contest.

On the offensive side, Kayla McSwain delivered a stellar performance, going 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and a double, propelling the Mountaineers to victory. Teammate Kali Weaver also contributed significantly, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, a double, and a triple, electrifying the crowd and her team.

For the Panthers, Jailyn Thomas put up a strong fight on the mound, pitching six innings with nine strikeouts and holding the Mountaineers to just two earned runs.

Reflecting on the hard-fought win, Mountaineers Coach Kevin Cruise expressed his pride and motivation going into the state finals:

The Mountaineers will play against South Brunswick on June 1st at 2:00 PM, which will promise to be another exciting game as the journey to the 2024 NCHSAA Softball State Championship title continues.