From staff reports

GRANITE QUARRY — South Rowan softball coach Dean Mullinax had no complaints about how his team played on Tuesday, but East Rowan played even better.

The top-seeded Mustangs beat the fifth-seeded Raiders 8-2 to advance to Thursday’s South Piedmont Conference Tournament championship game.

“We played well, didn’t make an error, but we just couldn’t hit with East,” Mullinax said. “Hats off to their hitters.”

Kynlee Dextaze had two hits for South. Meghan Eagle and Avery Fisher had run-scoring hits. Campbell Withers anchored South’s defensive effort.

But the Mustangs (18-3) got a grand slam from Chloe Shank, a two-run homer by Jordan Dry and solid pitching by Madi Tigert.

South probably will make the state playoffs, although the Raiders are close enough to the bubble that they can’t relax until the pairings are announced.

East will host the championship game at 6:30 p.m. against West Rowan.

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GRANITE QUARRY — West Rowan blasted Central Cabarrus 16-1 on Tuesday in the other SPC tournament semifinal.

The third-seeded Falcons (19-6) made it two out of three this season against the second-seeded Vikings.

“Played great, pitched great, had 15 hits,” West coach Jimmy Greene said.

Reese Poole had three hits and four RBIs. Taylor Keller had two hits and four RBIs. Winning pitcher Arabelle Shulenburger, Riley Haggas and EA Nance had two hits each.

Emma Clarke was 1-for-1 with a double and two RBIs, She was intentionally walked four times.

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THOMASVILLE — Second-seeded East Davidson jumped out to a 6-1 lead early and held off third-seeded Salisbury 7-6 in a Central Carolina Conference semifinal played on Tuesday.

Down 7-1, the Hornets made it exciting with three runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh, but came up a run short.

Ashley Yang had two hits, including a triple, and drove in two for the Hornets.

Katie Peeler had two hits and scored three runs. She pitched and struck out five.

Allie Peeler’s three hits, included a double,. She drove in two.

Yang and Katie Peeler batted over .500 for the season.

Despite a good season and a 9-3 league record, Salisbury (12-10) isn’t likely to make the playoffs. The Hornets are 36th in the 2A West RPI rankings.

East Davidson (14-6) advanced to the championship game against top-seeded West Davidson. West Davidson won 15-0 in a semifinal against South Davidson.