MOUNT ULLA — West Rowan’s softball team yawned its way to an early deficit, but a line-drive, opposite-field homer by Hunter Gibbons in the bottom of the third inning  was loud enough to wake everyone up.

Gibbons’ homer tied the first-round 3A state playoff game at 2-all, and West Rowan went on to beat familiar opponent Cox Mill 8-2 on Tuesday evening.

“That home run definitely was the turning point,” West Rowan pitcher Peyton Greene said. “It got our momentum going, and it got our confidence up.”

West Rowan is the No. 5 seed, while Cox Mill was the No. 28 seed, but the Chargers were a dangerous opponent and had split two one-run games with the Falcons during the regular season.

Spurred by Gibbons’ homer, the Falcons decided the game with a six-run fourth inning. Taylor Martin had the key blow, drilling a base hit to right field with the bases loaded to drive in two runs for a 4-2 lead. Parker Greene and Peyton Greene both walked with the bases full to make it 6-2. Khara Fesperman produced the hit that widened the lead to 8-2.

“We did a good job with small ball that inning to get baserunners and we got clutch hits,” Peyton Greene said. “Khara got a huge hit. We’ve got a good lineup, and we’ve got a lot of girls coming through, not just at the top of the lineup, but at the bottom.”

Cox Mill closed the books at 9-11. West Rowan (18-5) will host Ledford in a second-round game that probably will be played on Friday. Ledford eliminated Carson 6-3 on Tuesday.

(28) Cox Mill     200   000   0     — 2   5    0

(5) West Rowan  101  600   x    —   8    9    1

HR — Gibbons (6).

W — Pe. Greene (16-5)