This past week marked the final regular-season games for most of Beaufort County’s spring athletes. The seniors took hold of their destinies as many helped their team build important momentum as they now prepare for the playoffs.

Washington softball seniors propelled the Lady Pack into the postseason. Each had a part in a 15-5 thumping of Southwest Edgecombe on Thursday. The same was true for the baseball team. Four Pam Pack seniors had hits.

As the regular season ends, here are the local standouts that helped thrust Beaufort County’s teams into the playoffs.

 

HAILEY HARRIS, WASHINGTON

Hailey Harris dominated every facet of the game in Thursday’s 15-5 senior-night win over Southwest Edgecombe. He was perfect on her five trips to the plate. She scored three runs and batted in five more to account for over half the team’s runs.

Harris also kept the Lady Cougars quiet with her stellar pitching. While Southwest Edgecombe scored five times, only one run was charged to her. She gave up one hit, walked five and struck out eight batters in five innings.

 

REG BISHOP, NORTHSIDE

After losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, Reg Bishop helped Northside end the season on a high note with a 10-0 lambasting of in-county rival Southside.

Bishop, a junior, has established himself as one of the county’s premier infielders. He helped the Panthers turn one of their three double plays in the game. He also went 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs and three RBI and was perfect on his two attempts at stealing a base.

 

ALYSSA MCLAWHORN, SOUTHSIDE

Southside nearly spoiled Northside’s senior night on Thursday. Alyssa McLawhorn, two years shy of her own senior night, scattered five hits over six innings. However, Southside’s offense couldn’t get a key hit to give her run support in a 1-0 loss.

Nonetheless, McLawhorn and the Lady Seahawks have hit their stride defensively. If they can get their bats going, they could have a lengthy playoff run starting Wednesday at home.

 

RACHEL LANG, NORTHSIDE

Northside picked up a close 1-0 win on its senior night thanks to an all-around team effort. Hits were at a premium, but senior pitcher Rachel Lang didn’t buckle under the pressure of playing a narrow game.

Lang was one of five Lady Panthers to notch a hit. She limited the entire Lady Seahawks to just three hits — two of which were in the first inning — and struck out seven.

 

TRIPP BARFIELD, WASHINGTON

Washington’s pitching staff is about as deep as coach Kevin Leggett could want. Tripp Barfield stumbled a bit late in the season, but reasserted himself as the team’s ace with a complete-game win, 5-2, at Southwest Edgecombe in Washington’s penultimate game.

Barfield gave up two runs (both earned) on three hits and two walks. He fanned a dozen Cougars. He also helped the golf team to its third-consecutive 2-A eastern regional championship.