PINETOWN — Northside has proven itself one of the best softball teams in the 1-A Coastal Plains Conference time and again. Since returning from spring break, the Lady Panthers have disposed of Lejeune and Southside by a combined 35-0 score. They’re getting offensive contributions throughout the lineup — from Mackensi Swain hitting a home run to Savannah Slade picking up two extra-base hits Wednesday against Southside.

As the offense piles on runs, pitcher Rachel Lang has led a defense that has surrendered just 33 runs through 14 games. The Lady Panthers aren’t doing anything groundbreaking. It boils down to routine plays made on a consistent basis. If an opponent is going to get on base, she’s going to earn it. They have committed just a dozen errors in 14 games, despite being a relatively young team.

“We have confidence in out pitchers, number one,” coach Riley Youmans said. “We have confidence in our fielders. We made some plays (Wednesday against Southside) that could have been hits, but we made the plays. … It’s good to have the momentum that we have. Showing the enthusiasm that the bench had for the starters, it’s just good teamwork all away around.”

Offensively, Northside has six players batting .400 or better. Youmans keeps the approach simple by preaching to the players that the primary objective should be putting the ball in play. But they’re doing more than that to drive the offense. Swain leads the team with 14 extra-base hits — including three homers. She’s not the only one with a powerful bat as sophomore Whitney Cromwell and senior Mariah Stanley have both drilled a pair of home runs, too.

The Lady Panthers aim to just keep doing what they’ve been doing recently. It built a lengthy win streak, all but locking up at least the No. 2 spot in the conference. They hosted East Carteret on Friday, looking to avenge an 8-6 loss earlier in the season and possibly pull into first place in the conference. After that, they have five games before concluding the regular season at Southside.

A deep run in the postseason is the goal after a regional final appearance last year. Not only have the offense and defense looked incredible thus far, but Northside has scheduled well to prepare for the playoffs, too. Beyond the two encounters with East Carteret, the Lady Panthers have also met the likes of 2-A Washington and 4-A South Central.

So long as they keep on this path, things look promising down the road.

Note: Log onto www.thewashingtondailynews.com for the latest coverage of Northside’s first-place bout with East Carteret.