Staff report

CHINA GROVE — Carson’s baseball season ended on Friday with a 3-2 loss to Central Davidson in eight innings.

The Cougars (16-12) made two errors and were held to three hits, but they had their chances in a second-round playoff game between teams seeded 24th and 25th in the 3A West bracket.

Central Davidson (13-11) managed six hits and played errorless ball. The Spartans finished fifth in a six-team conference, but they are peaking at the right time.

Carson got a strong pitching effort from Maverick Walters, who worked six innings. He allowed four hits and three walks, while striking out five.

Carson took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Cam Willamson knocked in Carson Kirk.

Central Davidson scored twice in the fourth inning, but Carson tied the game at 2-all when Will Bradshaw drove in Williamson.

Reliever Corbin Hales put up a zero in the top of the seventh, but the Cougars couldn’t score.

Central Davidson scored a decisive run in the top of the eighth.

Bradshaw had two of Carson’s three hits.

Carson has a young team.

Junior outfielder Jayven Parks led the Cougars in just about every offensive category, including batting average, on-base percentage, hits, homers, doubles, runs and RBIs.

Daxton Savage, one of the team’s senior leaders, had a great season on the mound (1.51 ERA) and batted .357.

Central Davidson advances to a third-round matchup at top-seeded East Rowan. That game will be played on Monday due to Tuesday’s weather forecast.