PINETOWN — The Northside softball team began postseason play in dominating fashion Wednesday, crushing Cape Hatteras 19-2 in five innings in front of a home crowd to move on to the second round of the state playoffs.

The Panthers quickly took control of the NCHSAA 1A Softball State Championship first round game, scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning. Their bats cooled off a bit in the second, scoring a single run, before piling on eight more runs in the third inning. The Hurricanes managed to score two consolation runs in the fourth inning, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

As evidenced by the scoreboard, it was a successful night at the plate for Northside. The Panthers combined for 15 hits and drew 11 walks as well. Catcher Teagan Pilgreen was the offensive star of the night, accounting for nine of her team’s 19 runs. The junior hit 3-for-4, including a double, while knocking in 6 RBI and scoring three runs herself.

Northside starting pitcher Madison Braddy was responsible for shutting down Cape Hatteras’ hitters. Braddy surrendered one earned run on three hits, while striking out 11 Hurricanes. Cape Hatteras’ second run was the result of a defensive error.

Winning by such a large margin has become a bit of a trend for the Panthers. They’ve now won their last seven games by an average run differential of 13. But Northside coach Gil Robbins knows as his team moves deeper into the postseason tournament, the games won’t as easily won.

“It’s going to progressively get tougher now,” he said.

The Panthers will next travel to Gaston tomorrow, where they’ll take on KIPP Pride at 1 p.m. in a second-round matchup.