Rams Advance to 4A State Championship Series
5/24/24
By:
Tiffany Walston
Defeats Charlotte Catholic 3-1
In a decisive showdown, TC Roberson clinched a 3-1 victory over Charlotte Catholic in Game 2 of the NCHSAA 4A Western Regional championship series on Thursday. This win comes on the heels of Roberson’s dominant 13-0 triumph in the series opener on Tuesday. Despite a stronger showing from Charlotte Catholic in the second game, it wasn’t enough to force a Game 3.
The game began as a pitcher’s duel, with both teams swiftly dispatching batters. Pitcher Micah Simpson showcased why he's considered one of the state's elite arms with a standout performance. Simpson scattered six hits, allowed just one unearned run, and struck out eight batters, solidifying his reputation as one of the best in the business.
Coach Eric Filipek reflected on the game:
“We just had to do little things to try to push a couple runs off. Our guy got better as the game went on. They had a couple hits early and had some big double plays that we turned and thought that helped us a ton in the beginning. Then Micah just kept getting better and better and he shut them down towards the end.”
The tide changed when Roberson struck first in the third inning when Parker Filipek scored off a sacrifice hit from Zeb Swangim. Charlotte Catholic responded in the bottom of the inning, with John Hucko tying the game on a bunt from Alex Hoffman.
Roberson reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning. After walking to first base, Carson Heath stole second and scored on Reno Jeter’s groundout to first, putting Roberson ahead 2-1. The margin widened in the fifth inning when Swangim singled to center, stole second, and scored on a single by Jake Parham.
Roberson, the defending 4A state champions, now advance to face the winner of the East Regional championship between Ashley and Cardinal Gibbons.
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