YEATESVILLE — The Panthers pounced all over the North Carolina School of Science and Math in the first round of the NCHSAA 1-A state playoffs as they struck with a balanced attack at the plate and brilliant performance by pitcher Kelsey Lang to top the Unicorns 11-0 in six innings.
“We’re very excited,” Northside coach Jack Beirne said. “We’re looking forward to the second round.”
Pitching in her first varsity playoff game, Lang looked like a veteran as she held yielded a hit to the first batter she faced and then retired every one after that to record a one-hitter and the win.
“She did an excellent job,” Northside coach Jack Beirne said. “It was a great performance. She came out and she was ready.”
Lang struck out eight batters in six innings and helped the second-seeded Panthers (15-4, Four Rivers) cruise into the second round where they will host Four Rivers Conference rival Riverside on Tuesday.
Northside benefited from a host of contributors on Friday as it racked up 11 runs on 11 hits.
Caroline Slade went 2-3 with two RBIs, Lang was 2-3 and scored twice, Brittany Alligood went 2-2 drove in a game-high four runs, while Mackensi Swain, Taonya Stanley, Jordan Woolard, Kendall Alligood and Alex Cutler each had one hit.
Holding a 8-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Brittany Alligood made sure there would not be a seventh inning as she belted a three-run home run over the center field fence to evoke the mercy rule.
The Panthers attacked early and often as they racked up three runs in the first against No. 3 NCSSM (9-8, Carolina 12), then rallied for two in the third and three in the fourth before Alligood sealed the deal.
Next up for Northside is a No. 5 Riverside team that topped Creswell 16-1 on Friday to advance.

NCSM    000    000    —    0    1
Northside    302    303    —    11    11
WP: Kelsey Lang
Hitting: NS — Caroline Slade 2-3 (2 R, 2 RBI), Kelsey Lang 2-3 (R, 2 RBI), Kendall Alligood 1-1 (3 R), Brittany Alligood 2-2 (HR, 4 RBI), Mackensi Swain 1-3 (1 R), Taonya Stanley 1-4 (1 R), Jordan Woolard 1-2 (1 R), Alex Cutler 1-1 (1 R).