5-18-22 roundup: Pro baseball, soccer, football and hockey, High school baseball, softball and girls soccer, College baseball, basketball and athletics
By Richard Walker
Trends are emerging among area high school baseball and softball conferences as we prepare for Western semifinal matchups on Friday.
For example, the Western Foothills 3A Conference may be the best baseball league in the state as evidenced by its current 10-3 playoff record in addition to providing three of the four Western N.C. 3A semifinal teams.
And, if history has anything to do with it, we could see an All-Lincoln County Western N.C. 3A semifinal matchup from league rivals East Lincoln and North Lincoln; Each is unbeaten in previous fourth round playoff games – North Lincoln is 2-0 and East Lincoln 1-0.
Cherryville remains the most experienced area playoff team remaining as the Ironmen are prepping for their 18th fourth round matchup in school history – and Cherryville is an impressive 14-3 in previous fourth round matchups.
Other league conference baseball records are the following – 3-5 for the Big South 3A, 8-5 for the Catawba Shores 1A/2A, 5-4 for the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A, 1-3 for the Catawba Valley 2A and 1-4 for the Metro 1A – and Community School of Davidson remains alive for the Catawba Shores and Cherryville for the Southern Piedmont.
In softball, only area league has a winning playoff record as Western N.C. 3A semifinalist East Lincoln has helped the Western Foothills 3A to a 4-3 record. Fellow Western N.C. 3A semifinalist Crest has a chance to help the Big South 3A achieve a winning mark as the league has a 4-5 record entering their fourth round game.
Other league conference softball records are the following – 2-3 for the Catawba Shores 1A/2A, 3-5 for the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A, 2-3 for the Catawba Valley 2A and 1-2 for the Metro 1A.
Friday’s area N.C. High School Athletic Association Western semifinal baseball playoff pairings:
(Class 3A)
North Lincoln at South Rowan
East Lincoln at St. Stephens
(Class 1A)
Uwharrie Charter at Cherryville
Friday’s area N.C. High School Athletic Association Western semifinal softball playoff pairings:
(Class 3A)
Central Davidson at East Lincoln
North Buncombe at Crest
Legion baseball
Rock Hill, S.C. 7, Cherryville 3: Post 100 dropped its 2022 season-opener in a non-division matchup with Rock Hill.
High school girls soccer
Here are Thursday’s area second round pairings:
(Class 3A)
Cramer at South Point
Hickory at East Lincoln
(Class 2A)
Lincoln Charter at Wilkes Central
Madison at Lincolnton
Salisbury-East Surry winner at East Gaston
(Class 1A)
Mountain Island Charter at Union Academy
College athletics
Cleveland Community College announced on Tuesday it would soon be adding the men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball for the 2023-24 season, men’s and women’s track and field for the 2022-23 season and Esports as a club sport in the upcoming fall of 2022.
The Yetis’ program began in the 2020-21 season with baseball, softball and men’s and women’s cross country teams.
Also, the Charlotte 49ers announce they would be adding women’s lacrosse in the 2024-25 season. It’ll be the program’s 19th sport.
College basketball
Former South Point High standout Logan Threatt committed on Tuesday to play basketball at NCAA Division II power Queens, which just announced it would be transitioning to the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference.
College baseball
NCAA Division II Southeast Regional No. 1 at North Greenville:
(Thursday’s games)
No. 4 Lenoir-Rhyne vs. No. 5 UNC-Pembroke, noon
No. 1 North Greenville vs. Thursday’s noon loser, 4 p.m.
(Friday’s games)
North Greenville vs. Thursday’s noon winner, noon
TBD vs. TBD, 4 p.m.
(Saturday’s game – if necessary)
TBD vs. TBD, 1 p.m.
NCAA Division II Southeast Regional No. 2 at Wingate:
(Thursday’s gaems)
No. 2 Wingate vs. No. 7 Young Harris, 3 p.m.
No. 3 Columbus State vs. No. 6 Belmont Abbey, 7 p.m.
(Friday’s games)
Thursday’s losers, 3 p.m.
Thursday’s winner, 7 p.m.
(Saturday’s games)
Friday’s 3 p.m. winner vs. Friday’s 7 p.m. loser, 3 p.m.
Thursday’s 7 p.m. winner vs. Saturday’s 3 p.m. winner, 7 p.m.
(Sunday’s game – if necessary)
TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m.
NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional
May 27-28
NCAA Division II World Series at USA Baseball National Training Center in Cary:
June 4-11
ACC standings through May 15:
(Atlantic)
Notre Dame 15-9
Louisville 16-10-1
Florida State 15-12
N.C. State 14-12
Wake Forest 12-14-1
Clemson 10-16
Boston College 5-22
(Coastal)
Miami 18-9
Virginia Tech 16-9
Virginia 16-11
Pitt 13-13
Georgia Tech 12-15
North Carolina 12-15
Duke 10-17
This weekend’s 3-game series:
Boston College at Clemson
Duke at Virginia Tech
Florida State at North Carolina
Georgia Tech at Pitt
Notre Dame at Miami
Virginia at Louisville
Wake Forest at N.C. State
Off – Boston College, Georgia Tech
Pro basketball
Here’s the schedule for the NBA playoffs:
(Eastern Conference)
FIRST ROUND
1-Miami vs. 8-Atlanta (Miami wins series 4-1)
4-Philadelphia vs. 5-Toronto (Philadelphia wins series 4-2)
2-Boston vs. 7-Brooklyn (Boston wins series 4-0)
3-Milwaukee vs. 6-Chicago (Milwaukee wins series 4-1)
SEMIFINALS
1-Miami vs. 4-Philadelphia (Miami wins series 4-2)
2-Boston vs. 3-Milwaukee (Boston wins series 4-3)
FINALS
1-Miami vs. 2-Boston
Game 1 at Miami: May 17 (Miami 118-107)
Game 2 at Miami: May 19
Game 3 at Boston: May 21
Game 4 at Boston: May 23
Game 5 (if necessary) at Miami: May 25
Game 6 (if necessary) at Boston: May 27
Game 7 (if necessary) at Miami: May 29
(Western Conference)
FIRST ROUND
1-Phoenix vs. 8-New Orleans (Phoenix wins series 4-2)
4-Dallas vs. 5-Utah (Dallas wins series 4-2)
2-Memphis vs. 7-Minnesota (Memphis wins series 4-2)
3-Golden State vs. 6-Denver (Golden State wins series 4-1)
SEMIFINALS
1-Phoenix vs. 4-Dallas (Dallas wins series 4-3)
2-Memphis vs. 3-Golden State (Golden State wins series 4-2)
FINALS
1-Dallas vs. 3-Golden State
Game 1 at Golden State: May 18 (Golden State 112-87)
Game 2 at Golden State: May 20
Game 3 at Dallas: May 22
Game 4 at Dallas: May 24
Game 5 (if necessary) at Golden State: May 26
Game 6 (if necessary): at Dallas: May 28
Game 7 (if necessary): at Golden State: May 30
Pro hockey
The Carolina Hurricanes’ first round playoff schedule in their series against the Boston Bruins:
Game 1 at Carolina: May 2 (Carolina 5-1)
Game 2 at Carolina: May 4 (Carolina 5-2)
Game 3 at Boston: May 6 (Boston 4-2)
Game 4 at Boston: May 8 (Boston 5-2)
Game 5 at Carolina: May 10 (Carolina 5-1)
Game 6 at Boston: May 12 (Boston 5-2)
Game 7 at Carolina: May 14 (Carolina 3-2, Carolina wins series 4-3)
The Carolina Hurricanes’ second round playoff schedule in their series against the New York Rangers:
Game 1 at Carolina: May 18 (Carolina 2-1, OT)
Game 2 at Carolina: May 20
Game 3 at New York: May 22
Game 4 at New York: May 24
Game 5 (if necessary) at Carolina: May 26
Game 6 (if necessary) at New York: May 28
Game 7 (if necessary) at Carolina: May 30
Pro soccer
Here’s the full Charlotte FC MLS schedule for the 2022 season (with results):
(4-7-1 record)
Feb. 26 at D.C. (L 0-3)
March 5, L.A. (L 0-1)
March 13, at Atlanta (L 1-2)
March 19, New England (W 3-1)
March 26, Cincinnati (W 2-0)
April 2, at Philadelphia (L 0-2)
April 10, Atlanta (W 1-0)
April 16, at New England (L 1-2)
April 23, at Colorado (T 0-0)
April 30, at Orlando (L 1-2)
May 7, Miami (W 1-0)
May 14, Montreal (L 0-2)
May 22, Vancouver, 5 p.m.
May 29, at Seattle, 9:30 p.m.
June 11, New York, 3 p.m.
June 18, at Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
June 25, at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
June 30, Austin, 7 p.m.
July 3, at Houston, 8:30 p.m.
July 9, Nashville, 7 p.m.
July 16, at Miami, 8 p.m.
July 23, at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
July 30, Columbus, 7 p.m.
August 3, D.C., 7 p.m.
August 6, Chicago, 7 p.m.
August 13, at LAFC, 10:30 p.m.
August 17, at New York City, TBD
August 21, Orlando, 7 p.m.
August 27, Toronto, 7 p.m.
September 3, at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
September 10, New York City, 7 p.m.
September 17, at Chicago, 8 p.m.
October 1, Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
October 9, at New York, TBD
Pro baseball
The Gastonia Honey Hunters lost 8-6 to the Southern Maryland Crabs to fall to 16-7 on the season on Wednesday night.
The full Gastonia Honey Hunters’ 2022 schedule (Games times 6:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 4:15 on Sunday):
April (8-1)
21 Lancaster, Pa. (L 2-5)
22 Lancaster, Pa. (W 4-3)
23 Lancaster, Pa. (W 8-1)
24 Lancaster, Pa. (W 13-4)
26 Wild Health, Ky. (W 12-1)
27 Wild Health, Ky. (W 17-4)
28 Wild Health, Ky. (W 6-4)
29 Staten Island (W 5-4)
30 Staten Island (W 6-5)
May (8-6)
1 Staten Island (W 10-5)
3 at York, Pa. (W 3-1)
4 at York, Pa. (L 4-5 in 10)
5 at York, Pa. (W 12-7)
6 at Staten Island (ppd.)
7 at Staten Island (ppd.)
8 at Staten Island (W 4-1)
8 at Staten Island (W 7-2)
10 at So. Maryland (W 2-0)
11 at So. Maryland (L 0-4)
12 at So. Maryland (L 2-4)
13 at Staten Island (ppd.)
14 at Staten Island (ppd.)
15 at Staten Island (L 1-2)
15 at Staten Island (W 1-0)
16 at Staten Island (W 8-3)
17 So. Maryland (L 4-5)
18 So. Maryland (L 6-8)
19 So. Maryland
20 Charleston, W.Va.
21 Charleston, W.Va.
22 Charleston, W.Va.
24 at Lancaster, Pa.
25 at Lancaster, Pa.
26 at Lancaster, Pa.
27 at Long Island
28 at Long Island
29 at Long Island
30 at Long Island
31 Long Island
June
1 Long Island
2 Long Island
3 at High Point
4 at High Point
5 at High Point
7 at Charleston, W.Va.
8 at Charleston, W.Va.
9 at Charleston, W.Va.
10 High Point
11 High Point
12 High Point
14 Charleston, W.Va.
15 Charleston, W.Va.
16 Charleston, W.Va.
17 at Lexington, Ky.
18 at Lexington, Ky.
19 at Lexington, Ky.
21 Charleston, W.Va.
22 Charleston, W.Va.
23 Charleston, W.Va.
24 at So. Maryland
25 at So. Maryland
26 at So. Maryland
28 Wild Health, Ky.
29 Wild Health, Ky.
30 Wild Health, Ky.
July
1 at Lexington, Ky.
2 at Lexington, Ky.
3 at Lexington, Ky.
4 High Point
5 High Point
6 at High Point
7 at High Point
8 High Point
9 High Point
10 High Point
12 at Wild Health, Ky.
13 at Wild Health, Ky.
14 at Wild Health, Ky.
15 Lexington, Ky.
16 Lexington, Ky.
17 Lexington, Ky.
19 at York, Pa.
20 at York, Pa.
21 at York, Pa.
22 at High Point
23 at High Point
24 at High Point
26 Lexington, Ky.
27 Lexington, Ky.
28 Lexington, Ky.
29 York, Pa.
30 York, Pa.
31 York, Pa.
August
2 at Lexington, Ky.
3 at Lexington, Ky.
4 at Lexington, Ky.
5 High Point
6 High Point
7 High Point
9 Staten Island
10 Staten Island
11 Staten Island
12 at High Point
13 at High Point
14 at High Point
16 So. Maryland
17 So. Maryland
18 So. Maryland
19 High Point
20 High Point
21 High Point
23 at Charleston, W.Va.
24 at Charleston, W.Va.
25 at Charleston, W.Va.
26 at High Point
27 at High Point
28 at High Point
30 High Point
31 High Point
September
1 High Point
2 Wild Health, Ky.
3 Wild Health, Ky.
4 Wild Health, Ky.
6 at Wild Health, Ky.
7 at Wild Health, Ky.
8 at Wild Health, Ky.
9 Lexington, Ky.
10 Lexington, Ky.
11 Lexington, Ky.
13 at High Point
14 at High Point
15 at High Point
16 at Charleston, W.Va.
17 at Charleston, W.Va.
18 at Charleston, W.Va.
Auto racing
The 2022 NASCAR cup schedule (with winners):
Feb. 6 Busch Light Clash (Joey Logano)
Feb. 17 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 (Brad Keselowski)
Feb. 17 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 (Chris Buescher)
Feb. 20 Daytona 500 (Austin Cindric)
Feb. 27 Wise Power 400 (Kyle Larson)
Mar. 6 Pennzoil 400 (Alex Bowman)
Mar. 13 Ruoff Mortgage (Chase Briscoe)
Mar. 20 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (William Byron)
Mar. 27 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (Ross Chastain)
Apr. 3 Toyota Owners (Denny Hamlin)
Apr. 9 Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 (William Byron-2)
Apr. 17 Food City Dirt Race (Kyle Busch)
Apr. 24 Geico 500 (Ross Chastain-2)
May 2 DuraMAX Drydene 400 (Chase Elliott)
May 8 Goodyear 400 (Joey Logano)
May 15 AdventHealth 400 (Kurt Busch)
May 22 NASCAR All-Star Open
May 29 Coca-Cola 600
June 5 Enjoy Illinois 300
June 12 Toyota/Save Mart 350
June 26 Ally 400
July 3 Kwik Trip 250
July 10 Quaker State 400
July 17 Ambetter 301
July 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono
July 31 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard
Aug. 7 FireKeepers Casino 400
Aug. 14 Federated Auto Parts 400
Aug. 21 Go Bowling at The Glen
Aug. 27 Coke Zero Sugar 400
Sept. 4 Cook Out Southern 500
Sept. 11 Hollywood Casino 400
Sept. 17 Bass Pro Shops Night Race
Sept. 24 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500
Oct. 2 YellaWood 500
Oct. 9 Bank of America ROVAL 400
Oct. 16 South Point 400
Oct. 23 Dixie Vodka 400
Oct. 30 Xfinity 500
Nov. 6 NASCAR Cup Series Championship