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Top performers: Perfection for Kings Mountain softball, North Gaston baseball standouts

Here is a daily list of the top performers from Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties during the third week of spring sports action.

Our weekly top performers list and athlete of the week nominees are compiled courtesy of information provided to The Gaston Gazette and Shelby Star by coaches, athletic directors or team statisticians through emails, MaxPreps or mentioning @JoeLHughesII in game results and highlights posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

If a top performer’s name doesn’t appear on the list, encourage their coach to email submissions to jhughes@gastongazette.com or sports@gastongazette.com.

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ON DECK: Here are 5 Gastonia, Shelby high school baseball and softball games to watch this week

Friday, March 15

Baseball

Lincoln Charter’s Evan Myers and Adam Rodgers combined for a no-hitter Friday in the Eagles’ 6-0 win over Mountain Island Charter.

Myers pitched six innings, striking out 11 and walking one. Rodgers came in for the final three outs, striking out a batter in the process.

Both also helped themselves at the plate. Myers had a hit and two RBIs, while Rodgers earned a triple, an RBI and scored a run.

In addition, Jacob Smith was 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a double and two more runs scored.

Softball

Mallie Courson pitched a five-inning no-hitter in Lincoln Charter’s 10-0 win over Mountain Island Charter.

Courson finished with two strikeouts and a walk, needing 52 pitches to complete the no-hitter.Sarah Terrell led the Eagles in the batter’s box, going 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored. Hailey Fiora was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Leah Lyerly also had 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Thursday, March 14

Baseball

Colby Putnam’s grand slam in the bottom of the seventh allowed Burns to walk off with a 7-3 win Thursday over Patton at The Dog Lot.

Such allowed pitcher Hagan Hoyle’s performance to stand up, striking out 12 batters while scattering five hits. Marshall McGowan and Jason Dubesko each had a hit and scored a run, while Eli Cooke had a base hit as well.

  • Ryder Abernathy, Cherryville: Was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in a 16-3 win over Shelby.

  • Talon Dalton, Cherryville: Was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.

  • Camden Cobb, Crest: Was 2-for-3, with two RBIs and two runs scored in a 10-0 win over Forestview.

  • Asher Smith, Crest: Pitched a five-inning complete game, allowing no runs on two hits with 11 strikeouts.

  • Meridian Leffew, Gaston Christian: Was 2-for-2 with a home run, in addition to scoring two more runs in a 4-0 win over Greensboro Day.

  • David Nicks, Gaston Christian: Was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

  • Cooper Summerlin, Gaston Christian: Allowed no runs and one hit in six innings on the mound. He struck out four Greensboro Day batters.

  • Jimmy Mahoney, Gaston Day: Had an RBI base hit in an 8-5 loss to Hickory Christian.

  • Ben Nigbor, Gaston Day: Had a hit and scored two runs.

  • Brody Smith, Gaston Day: Hit a three-run homer.

  • Benjamin Kimmel, Hunter Huss: Was 2-for-3 in a 7-0 loss to North Gaston.

  • Colton Mayes, Kings Mountain: Was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in a 7-0 win over Stuart Cramer.

  • Aidan Taylor, Kings Mountain: Was 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Taylor also pitched six innings, allowing no runs on three hits with eight strikeouts.

  • Kandan Zollo, Kings Mountain: Was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

  • Andre Bost, Lincolnton: Was 2-for-3 with a run scored in a 7-4 win over Thomas Jefferson.

  • Treylen Bost, Lincolnton: Was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

  • Karson Cloninger, Lincolnton: Had a double, an RBI and a run scored.

  • Nathan Hovis, Lincolnton: Struck out 10 in six innings on the mound

  • Devin Leonard, Lincolnton: Was 3-for-3 with a home run, double, two RBIs and two runs scored.

  • Caleb Cloninger, North Gaston: Pitched a complete game, allowing no runs on three hits with 15 strikeouts.

  • Houston Rector, North Gaston: Had a hit and scored a run.

  • Jaiden Carty, Shelby: Earned a double, two RBIs and scored a run in a 16-3 loss to Cherryville.

  • Brett Morgan, Shelby: Had a hit and an RBI.

  • Aydan Bradley, Stuart Cramer: Earned a double in a 7-0 loss to Kings Mountain.

  • Colton Carpenter, West Lincoln: Had a  hit and an RBI in a 2-1 win over Newton-Conover.

  • Jacob Driggers, West Lincoln: Was 2-for-3 with two runs scored in a 2-1 win over Newton-Conover.

  • Braden Helms, West Lincoln: Pitched 5 ⅓ innings, allowing one run on three hits with nine strikeouts.

Softball

West Lincoln’s Stacia Cowan threw a four-inning no-hitter Thursday as part of an 18-0 win over Newton-Conover. She had five strikeouts and walked one.

Baylee Brown (two RBIs), Melony Hoffman (two RBIs, run) and Jordan Huss (two runs) each had two hits for the Lady Rebels.

  • Landyn McBride, Cherryville: Was 3-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and four runs scored.

  • Alexis McSwain, Cherryville: Was 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Emma Proctor, Cherryville: Was 4-for-5 with five RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Chloee Stroupe, Cherryville: Was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

  • Riley Bryant, Cherryville: Was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

  • Krista Davis, Cherryville: Was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and four runs scored.

  • Laila Davis, Cherryville: Was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.

  • Taylor Digh, Cherryville: Was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

  • Madalyn Bowen, Crest: Hit a three-run homer in an 8-3 win over Forestview.

  • Aidan Ledbetter, Crest: Was 2-for-3 with a double, home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. She also pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits with 12 strikeouts.

  • Hannah Massey, East Gaston: Was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in a 10-6 win over Lincoln Charter.

  • Jordan McCorkle, East Gaston: Was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

  • Izabella Sides, East Gaston: Was 3-for-4 with a double, triple, an RBI and two runs scored.

  • Carson Summey, East Gaston: Was 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and a run scored.

  • Kayla Johnson, Forestview: Was 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in an 8-3 loss to Crest.

  • Miley Skidmore, Forestview: Was 1-for-3 with a two-run homer.

  • Blair Riley, Forestview: Was 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored.

  • Kendall Jones, Gaston Christian: Was 3-for-4 with a run scored in an 8-4 loss to Lee Park Prep.

  • Katie Muchesko, Gaston Christian: Was 4-for-4 with an RBI.

  • Lydia Robinson, Gaston Christian: Was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

  • Arielle Camp, Hunter Huss: Was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored in a 22-7 loss to North Gaston.

  • Myla Hoover, Hunter Huss: Was 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

  • Zaniah Field, Kings Mountain: Was 2-for-3 with three RBIs in a 14-0 win over Stuart Cramer.

  • Paige Fleming, Kings Mountain: Hit a grand slam.

  • Desiree Green, Kings Mountain: Hit a home run, along with earning three RBIs and scoring two runs.

  • Kali Weaver, Kings Mountain: Was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

  • Maddie Huffman, Kings Mountain: Was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. She also pitched a six-inning complete game, allowing no runs on one hits with 14 strikeouts.

  • Kayla Okoniewski, Lincoln Charter: Was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in a 10-6 loss to East Gaston.

  • Sarah Terrell, Lincoln Charter: Had a hit, two RBIs and scored a run.

  • Kiley Welch, Lincoln Charter: Was 2-for-4.

  • Kayra Brown, North Gaston: Was 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in a 22-7 loss to Hunter Huss.

  • Madelyn Carpenter, North Gaston: Was 2-for-5 with two triples, six RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Kadence Hampton, North Gaston: Was 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored.

  • Layla Love, North Gaston: Was 2-for-2 with four runs scored.

  • Kamryn Quill, North Gaston: Was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Skylar Smith, North Gaston: Was 2-for-2 with two triples, two RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Kaidence Miller, Shelby: Had a double, two RBIs and scored a run in her team’s 23-4 loss to Cherryville.

  • Ashlyn Lee, Stuart Cramer: Had a triple in a 14-0 loss to Kings Mountain.

Girls soccer

  • Ariene Catindig, Forestview: Scored two goals in a 5-3 win over Crest.

  • Alayna Janik, Forestview: Scored two goals and assisted on another.

  • Nevaeh Peña, Hunter Huss: Scored a goal in the Huskies’ 1-0 win over North Gaston.

  • Anna Garcia-Monroy, Lincolnton: Scored a goal in a 7-1 loss to East Lincoln.

  • Carly Yates, Lincoln Charter: Scored a goal in her team’s 1-0 win over Newton-Conover.

  • Lexi Birtwistle, South Point: Scored a goal and assisted on another in a 4-0 win over North Lincoln.

  • Jesson Cadiang, South Point: Scored a goal and assisted on another.

  • MacKenzie Crill, South Point: Scored a goal.

  • Claire Hux, South Point: Scored a goal and assisted on another.

  • Skylar MacMann, Stuart Cramer: Scored a goal in the Storm’s 3-0 win over Kings Mountain.

  • Kate Marze, Stuart Cramer: Scored two goals.

Wednesday, March 13

Baseball

Colby Putnam had a no-hitter broken up in the seventh inning Wednesday, settling for a one-hit shutout in a 4-0 win over North Lincoln. Putnam struck out 10 and walked one.

The Gardner-Webb recruit also was 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Nick Williams was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Marshall McGowan was 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored.

  • Ronald Costner, Highland Tech: Had a hit, two RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Wyatt Hardin, Highland Tech: Had a double, RBI and two runs scored.

  • Ethan Wilson, Highland Tech: Was 2-for-3 with four RBIs.

  • Canton Bare, Lincoln Charter: Was 2-for-3 with a run scored in a 7-5 loss to Union Academy.

  • Evan Myers, Lincoln Charter: Was 4-for-4 with a double, triple, RBI and two runs scored.

  • Jacob Smith, Lincoln Charter: Hit a solo home run and scored another run.

  • Chase Ghantt, North Gaston: Was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and a run scored in a 4-3 loss to South Caldwell.

  • Chandler Wooten, North Gaston: Was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Softball

  • Laylah Haynes, Burns: Was 1-for-2 with a walk and two stolen bases in a 12-2 loss to R-S Central..

  • Emma Walker, Burns: Was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

  • Laura Davis, Cherryville: Had two hits in a 10-7 win over Forestview.

  • Taylor Digh, Cherryville: Had three hits and three RBIs.

  • Raylei Gidney, Cherryville: Earned the win with seven strikeouts.

  • Landyn McBride, Cherryville: Had two hits and two RBIs.

  • Lexi McSwain, Cherryville: Had two hits and two RBIs.

  • Ava Miller, Cherryville: Had two hits.

  • Madison Emery, Crest: Had an RBI base hit in the Chargers’ 11-1 loss to South Caldwell

  • Hayden Lail, Crest: Was 2-for-3.

  • Jordyn Aungst, East Lincoln: Pitched a three-hit shutout, allowing three hits in 6 ⅓ innings to help the Lady Mustangs to a 2-0 win over Hough. Kaitlyn Gust got the last two outs for the save.

  • Madison Currence, East Lincoln: Had a single and an RBI.

  • Tatum Martin, East Lincoln: Had a double, RBI and a run scored.

  • Taniyah Thomas, East Lincoln: Had two hits, a run and a stolen base.

  • Lily Cabe, Forestview: Hit a three-run homer in a 10-7 loss to Cherryville.

  • Blair Riley, Forestview: Was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

  • Skylar Crane, Lincolnton: Was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and four runs scored.

  • Tanlee Eley, Lincolnton: Was 2-for-5 with a double, four RBIs and a run scored.

  • Kayra Brown, North Gaston: Was 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs in a 13-5 loss to Lincolnton.

  • Parker Gordon, North Gaston: Was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

  • Madison Bridges, South Point: Was 2-for-3 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored in a 19-7 win over Bessemer CIty.

  • Cailey Evans, South Point: Was 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Adleigh Hutcheson, South Point: Was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

  • Taylyn Ledford, South Point: Was 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and two-run scored.

  • Evy McKee, South Point: Was 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored.

Tuesday, March 12

Baseball

North Gaston baseball pitcher Chase Ghantt needed 50 pitches to complete a five-inning perfect game in Tuesday’s 14-0 win over Hunter Huss.

He struck out 12 Huskie batters. Ghantt also had a double, RBI and scored two runs.

Houston Rector was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Carter Mason (hit, RBI, run); Preston Martin (hit, two runs); Elijah Cunningham (hit, two RBIs, two runs), Caleb Bates (hit, three RBIs, run); Andrew Hardy (hit, RBI) and Caleb Cloninger (double, two RBIs, run scored) also contributed in the North Gaston victory.

  • Nathan Crawford, Ashbrook: Was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in a 10-2 loss to South Point.

  • Evan Valentine, Ashbrook: Was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

  • Aaron Heavner, Cherryville: Was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in a 13-1 win over Shelby.

  • Eli Newsome, Cherryville: Had a double and two RBIs. He also pitched four innings, allowing one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts.

  • Houston Cook, Crest: Had two hits in a 15-5 win over Forestview.

  • Landry Ohmstead, Crest: Earned two hits.

  • Parker Ramsey, Crest: Earned the win on the mound.

  • Zack Rayfield, Crest: Had two hits.

  • Jackson Swenson, Crest: Finished with three hits.

  • Ethan Arledge, East Lincoln: Had two hits, two RBIs and scored two runs.

  • Carson Dahle, East LIncoln: Had two hits, including a two-run homer.

  • Evan Matile, East Lincoln: Earned a double and had two RBIs.

  • Dylan Scott, East Lincoln: Had three hits, including a two-run homer, along with scoring two runs.

  • Trey Spees, East Lincoln: Had two hits, including a solo home run, along with scoring two runs.

  • Stephen Stroupe, Gaston Christian: Was 2-for-3 in his team’s 1-0 loss to Metrolina Christian.

  • Wyatt Hardin, Highland Tech: Earned a triple, two RBIs and scored a run in a 16-0 win over Bessemer City.

  • Connor Redmond, Highland Tech: Was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

  • Erwing Soza, Highland Tech: Was 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. He also pitched five innings, allowing no runs on one hit with 10 strikeouts.

  • Luke Heavner, Kings Mountain: Was 2-for-3 with two runs scored in a 6-2 win over Stuart Cramer.

  • Colton Mayes, Kings Mountain: Was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

  • Brayden Patrick, Kings Mountain: Pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits with 11 strikeouts. He also had a hit, an RBI and scored a run.

  • Nathan Hovis, Lincolnton: Was 1-for-2 with two RBIs in a 16-3 loss to Bandys.

  • Canton Bare, Lincoln Charter: Was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and three runs scored in a 22-3 win over Mountain Island Charter.

  • Justin Horne, Lincoln Charter: Was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

  • William Roberts, Lincoln Charter: Was 3-for-4 with a double, home run, six RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Noah Withers, Lincoln Charter: Was 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Liam Berger, Mountain Island Charter: Was 2-for-3 with two runs scored in a 22-3 loss to Lincoln Charter.

  • Chad Matthews, North Lincoln: Was 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored  in a 3-2 win over St. Stephens in 10 innings.

  • Cason McGinnis, North Lincoln: Was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.

  • Tucker Sigmon, North Lincoln: Had the game-winning RBI base hit in the 10th inning for the Knights.

  • Patrick Blee, South Point: Was 2-for-3 with a double, triple and an RBI in a 10-2 win over Ashbrook.

  • Landon King, South Point: Was 2-for-2 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored.

  • Gavin Smith, South Point: Pitched 3 ⅔ innings, allowing no runs on three hits with nine strikeouts.

  • Hunter Dye, Stuart Cramer: Was 2-for-4 in a 6-2 loss to Kings Mountain.

  • Dylan Jennings, Stuart Cramer: Was 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

  • Jacob English, West Lincoln: PItched four innings, allowing two runs on three hits with eight strikeouts in a 6-2 win over Bunker Hill.

  • Landon Jenkins, West Lincoln: Was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Softball

Kings Mountain pitcher Maddie Huffman earned a five-inning perfect game, striking out each of the 15 batters she faced in a 14-0 win over North Gaston. She threw strikes on 46 of 53 pitches.

Huffman added two doubles, two RBIs and scored a run.

Kali Weaver was 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. Anna Wooten was 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Kaydence Whitaker was 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs. Kayla McSwain also had two hits — one of them a double — an RBI and two runs scored.

  • Tristen Kiser, Bessemer City: Was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in an 11-9 win over Highland Tech.

  • Ella Pursley, Bessemer City: Struck out 11 Highland Tech batters.

  • Imani Rhodes, Bessemer City: Was 2-for-4.

  • Destiny Vernon, Bessemer City: Was 2-for-3 with four RBIs.

  • Riley Bryant, Cherryville: Was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in an 18-3 win over Shelby.

  • Krista Davis, Cherryville: Was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

  • Landyn McBride, Cherryville: Was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.

  • Alexis McSwain, Cherryville: Was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored.

  • Emma Proctor, Cherryville: Was 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Abby Edwards, Crest: Was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in an 11-1 win over Stuart Cramer.

  • Aidan Ledbetter, Crest: Pitched four innings, allowing no runs or hits and struck out six. She was also 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

  • Sara Rose Warlick, Crest: Was 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored.

  • Meredith Bolen, East Lincoln: Pitched a three-inning no-hitter, striking out six in a 26-0 win at Statesville.

  • Lauren Borchardt, East Lincoln: Was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

  • Madison Currence, East Lincoln: Hit a home run and had three RBIs along with three runs scored.

  • Aubrey Gust, East Lincoln: Was 2-for-2 with two doubles, four RBIs and three runs scored.

  • Kaitlyn Gust, East Lincoln: Was 2-for-2 with two doubles, five RBIs and four runs scored.

  • Autumn Keziah, East Lincoln: Was 4-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

  • Taniyah Thomas, East Lincoln: Was 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored.

  • Kaitlyn Baker, Forestview: Had a double and scored two runs in a 15-0 win over Ashbrook.

  • Lily Cabe, Forestview: Was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.

  • Olivia Hensley, Forestview: Was 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

  • Kayla Johnson, Forestview: Had a hit, two RBIs and scored two runs.

  • Miley Skidmore, Forestview: Was 1-for-2.

  • Tanlee Eley, Lincolnton: Was 2-for-3 in a 9-0 loss to Bandys.

  • Mallie Cousron, Lincoln Charter: Pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on seven hits in a 5-3 win over Mountain Island Charter.

  • Hailey Fiora, Lincoln Charter: Was 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and a run scored.

  • Kayla Okoniewski, LIncoln Charter: Was 2-for-4.

  • Bailey Polaski, Lincoln Charter: Was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

  • Sarah Terrell, Lincoln Charter: Was 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.

  • Bella Bergman, Mountain Island Charter: Was 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored.

  • Izzy Leppert, Mountain Island Charter: Was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

  • Kaidence Miller, Shelby: Had a double, two RBIs and scored a run in Shelby’s 18-3 loss to Cherryville.

  • Madison Lee, Stuart Cramer: Was 1-for-2 with a run scored in an 11-1 loss to Crest.

  • Daniela Tejada, Stuart Cramer: Finished 1-for-3.

Girls soccer

  • McKenna Verdi, Lincoln Charter: Scored a goal and assisted on another in a 2-1 win over Corvian Community.

  • Carly Yates, Lincoln Charter: Scored a goal and assisted on another.

Monday, March 11

Baseball

  • Drew Dixon, Burns: Had a double and an RBI in a 6-1 win over Crest.

  • Hagan Hoyle, Burns: Was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

  • Joshua Taylor, Burns: Pitched 5 ⅔ innings, allowing a run on three hits with 10 strikeouts.

Girls soccer

  • Cadence Setzer, Crest: Earned a hat trick in the Chargers’ 4-3 loss to Foard.

  • Harmoni Carter, Mountain Island Charter: Scored the game’s only goal in the Raptors’ 1-0 win over Community School of Davidson.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NC high school spring sports: Gastonia, Shelby Week 3 top performers