From staff reports
Gardner-Webb’s football program announced on Thursday that A.L. Brown High standout Jayln Cagle has signed with the Runnin’ Bulldogs, bringing the 2016 recruiting class to 16 members.
On National Signing Day in February, the Wonders announced Cagle would be heading to Western Carolina as a preferred walk-on, but a scholarship opportunity opened up at Gardner-Webb.
A.L. Brown back Sandon McCoy had inked with Gardner-Webb on National Signing Day, but McCoy made the test score he needed and is now headed to West Point.
Cagle (5-11, 195) was a do-it-all performer for the Wonders, helping Coach Mike Newsome’s squad to a 10-3 mark in 2015.
He totaled more than 1,600 all-purpose yards as a senior. He was a standout running back, receiver, defensive back and kick returner and was tremendous in all phases in the “Bell Game” with Concord.
“We are seeking out young men who can impact the game quickly, and Jayln has that potential,” Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray said. “He is a strong student and will be in the mix at running back. His ability as a return specialist is exciting as well. He has good size and can go the distance almost any time he touches the football.”
Gardner-Webb opens its 2016 season at Elon.

Prep baseball
Salisbury romped, 19-4, at Thomasville on Thursday to stay unbeaten in the CCC.
John Yang had three hits and three RBIs for the Hornets. Will Steinman had two hits and drove in four runs.
Bo Rusher and John Yang had doubles. Alex Yang drove in two runs.
Joe Steinman, who went 2-for-2 at the plate, pitched three innings and got the win for the Hornets (10-8).
Thomasville (0-16, 0-6) made seven errors and was held to two hits.
Salisbury scored in every inning. The Hornets enjoyed a six-run fourth and a five-run fifth.

Prep soccer
Salisbury’s girls soccer team edged Concord, 3-2, on Thursday in a non-conference matchup.
With 15 minutes left, Salisbury (13-2-1) scored the deciding goal off a corner on a header by Katie Bullock. Ceci Cardelle had the assist.
Freshman Julia Patrum gave Concord an early 1-0 lead. Salisbury tied it on an own goal.
Salisbury went up 2-1 when Cardelle scored on an assist by Ellen Simons.
Former Salisbury assistant Taylor Strode coaches the Spiders.
“He’s doing a fantastic job at Concord,” Salisbury coach Matt Parrish said. “He’s changed changed the effort level and standing of their program, but we were fortunate and we got the breaks tonight.”
Salisbury got excellent play from Julia Honeycutt, who was responsible for Patrum all night, as well as Kathryn Rusher, Simons and Bullock.
Next up for the Hornets is a pivotal conference rematch versus East Davidson on Monday night at 6 p.m.
Gray Stone
Laurie Fogleman had three goals for Gray Stone in 9-0 win against North Stanly on Wednesday.
Kate Sullivan added two goals. Annie Habeeb, Wesley Harrington, Olivia Howard and Ivy Overcash had one each.
Kelsey Kiser, Katie Parah, Habeeb, Harrington and Overcash had assists. Freshman Katie Leckonby had the shutout in goal.
Gray Stone travels to Queens Grant on Monday.

Prep golf
A.L. Brown placed third in a MECKA golf match at Piper Glen.
Josh Boan’s 45 led the Wonders. Hough won the match.

Prep softball
A.L. Brown softball won, 20-3, against Vance on Thursday and is 8-0 in MECKA play.
Gabby Gibson and Lauren Bainbridge drove in four runs each to lead the Wonders.
The Wonders scored seven in the first and nine in the third in a three-inning contest.

Mid. school baseball
West Rowan defeated China Grove, 9-1, on Thursday.
Michael Molenda pitched a complete game and also led the Bulldogs at the plate with three hits. Bret Blevins and Lane Adkins had two hits each.
West plays North Rowan on Tuesday.

Intimidators
Hickory starting pitcher Dillon Tate, a first-round draft pick, struck out 10 and led the Crawdads to a 6-1 win over the Kannapolis Intimidators on Thursday.
Kannapolis (3-5) managed eight hits on the night, including three by Landon Lassiter.
Lassiter, who starred at UNC, raised his batting average to .565 (13-23).

MLB
Jerry Sands (Catawba) hit a two-run homer for the Chicago White Sox and led a 3-1 win on Wednesday.

Rock Your Socks 5K
The fourth annual Rock Your Socks 5k will be held Sunday (April 17) at 2 p.m. at Knox Middle School.
Cost is $15 for pre-registration and $20 on race day. The 5k is just $5 in advance and race day for Knox students and staff.
There will also be a Fun Run at 2:45, for a cost of $5, pre-registration and race day.
For more information, contact Laura Zimmerman-Clark at 704-647-2035.

Local golf
The 3rd Annual Hornet Athletics Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 7, at Corbin Hills with a 2 p.m. shotgun start.

College golf
Chowan holds a one-shot lead over Livingstone after the first day of the CIAA Men’s Golf Championships at Larkhaven.

Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart’s golf team held a tri-match with Summit School and Pinelake Prep.
Summit won the team match with a 149 followed by SHCS with a 188 and PineLake Prep at 201.
Sacred Heart was paced by Ben Childress with 42 and Nick Antosek 48.
Tennis
Sacred Heart’s tennis team edged Salisbury Academy, 5-4.
Childress won against Salisbury Academy’s Charlie Barr in a tiebreaker.
Sean Archer, Juan Salazar and Riley Dillon also won in singles for the Dolphins.
Childress/Archer won doubles to cap off the win.

Prep football
Hickory Ridge has hired Jason Seidel as its new head football coach.
Seidel was an assistant coach at Gastonia’s Ashbrook High School.
Seidel replaces Marty Paxton who was hired at Mooresville.