CREEDMOOR — Game 1 went to South Granville.
South Lenoir rallied to tie in the top of the seventh inning but the Vikings won on an error in the bottom of the frame to win 4-3 and take a one-game lead in the best-of-three NCHSAA 2A Eastern Regional series on Thursday.
Game 2 will be played at South Lenoir today at 7 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, will be back at South Granville at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Alease Daniel led off the home-half of the seventh with a walk from Mattie Beyer, then moved to second following a groundout by Megan Bowes. Erin Boone then grounded one to first, but the ball ricocheted off the glove of the first baseman, and another error was made on the throw trying to gun Daniel down at the plate.
The loss snapped a 10-game losing streak for South Lenoir (22-4), which must win today to force a decisive Game 3 and keep its season alive.
Taylor Sandlin doubled home Mentz in the first to put the Blue Devils on top, but the Vikings (23-1) got three back in the third. The lead held until Mentz’s double in the seventh.
Meredith Sanderson led off the seventh by getting hit with a pitch, and scored ahead of Cassidy Willoughby, who singled, on Mentz’s two-out double to tie.
South Lenoir loaded the bases in the fifth with one out but failed to score.
NCHSAA 2A Eastern regional softball series
South Lenoir vs. South Granville, best-of-3
Game 1: S. Granville 4, S. Lenoir 3 (S. Granville leads series 1-0)
Game 2: at S. Lenoir, today, 7 p.m.
Game 3: at S. Granville, Saturday, 2 p.m. (if nec.)