Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Northside picked up its second straight 1A state tournament victory over a higher-seeded opponent on the road with a 7-3 decision at Perquimans Tuesday evening.

Senior outfielder Taylor Willard’s three-run triple off the fence in the fifth inning broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Panthers the lead for good. Willard finished the night 4-4 with a pair of triples and four runs batted in.

“We didn’t let being behind bother us and we fought back to get the win,” coach Keith Boyd said. “Taylor’s hit was huge and Bella (Boykin) pitched very well to keep us in the game. It was a true team effort and everybody stayed positive when we were down early.”

Willard led a 10-hit Northside attack, while Londyn Keech and Meaghan Hopkins each had two hits. Keenan Woolard and Boykin each scored two runs.

The 13th-seeded Panthers (18-4) split two regular season games with the number-five Pirates (20-9) during the regular season and advance to face top-seeded North Duplin (17-1) Friday night.

Meanwhile, Washington’s softball season is over after a 2-1 loss at Martin Co.

The 6th seeded Pam Pack trailed 1-0, but scored a run in the sixth to tie. #4 Martin Co. came back with a run in the bottom of the seventh to advance. WHS finished 18-4, while Martin Co. is 24-2.