DEEP RUN — South Lenoir has at least two games left in its softball season. But the way Lisa Smith sees it her team is destined to play more.
Beginning today, the Blue Devils will face South Granville in a best-of-three series for the right to represent the East in next weekend’s state 2A championship series in Raleigh. Game 1 will be played at South Granville at 6 p.m. today, with Game 2 coming back to Deep Run at 7 p.m. on Friday. The final game will be played back in Creedmoor at 2 p.m. on Saturday, if necessary.
But Smith doesn’t expect her team’s season to end this weekend.
“We want to play in June,” Smith said. “God’s got us this far, and if it’s his will that’s what we’ll do.”
South Lenoir (22-3), making its fourth trip to the softball regionals and first since 2010, must first get past a team that was a mainstay at this point in the season seven years running from 1996-2002.
The Vikings (22-1), who knocked off defending 2A state champion Wilson Beddingfield to advance, have a pair of state fast-pitch titles in their back pockets, won in 1996 and 1998. They also hold two state records for single-season runs scored (404) and the highest per-game average for runs (13.3), both set back in 1999 according to the NCHSAA.
But this is 2013, and the Blue Devils are focused on what happens beginning today.
“What happened back then doesn’t matter now,” Smith said. “They’re a great team, there’s no doubt about it, but what happened 10-plus years ago isn’t going to help them or hurt us.”
What’s happened to South Lenoir this season certainly won’t hurt.
The team endured injuries early in the season, and even has a few nagging ones now. But the camaraderie of the Blue Devils have kept them together and have them on a season-long 10-game win streak following Tuesday’s 5-2 win at West Bladen.
“The girls just really love each other and love to play together,” Smith said. “They really are a big family.”
South Granville boasts an offense that can flat-out score. The Vikings average nearly 12 runs per game and have belted 30 home runs as a team — good enough for sixth all-time on the state record list. They are also batting .426, which is currently the second-highest average for a season behind Eastern Randolph’s .433 set in 2011.
But South Lenoir has a pair of pitchers in senior Taylor Sandlin (18-1, 1.59 ERA) and freshman Mattie Beyer (2-1, 1.26 ERA, 14 saves) that Smith feels can cool South Granville’s bats.
“I have all the confidence in the world in our pitchers and feel they can compete with anybody,” Smith said.
As always — it’s been South Lenoir’s motto all season — the series will come down to who wants it the most.
“The girls want it, gosh they want it. They want to win so bad, especially the seniors,” Smith said. “They’re focused and ready to go.”
Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.
NCHSAA 2A Eastern regional softball series
South Lenoir (22-3) vs. South Granville (22-1), best-of-3
Game 1: at S. Granville, today, 6 p.m.
Game 2: at S. Lenoir, Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 3: at S. Granville, Saturday, 2 p.m. (if nec.)
How they match up
S. Lenoir S. Granville
Runs scored PG 8.6 11.7
Runs allowed PG 1.96 1.13
Team ERA 1.53 1.23
Team AVG .321 .426
Regionals app. 4 7
State titles 0 2
Streaks 10 wins 16 wins
Seed 2 1
Sources: Maxpreps.com, NCHSAA