How do Gastonia, Shelby area baseball, softball teams stack up following spring break? (2024)

With spring break now behind us, high school baseball and softball in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties are priming for the stretch run in their bid for an extended stay in the NCHSAA and NCISAA playoffs.

Here’s a look at the tri-county pecking order going into play for the week of April 8, 2024.

HERE"S WHAT ON DECK THIS WEEK: Here's how North Gaston baseball hopes to parlay spring break success into a late surge

SPRING BREAK'S BEST: Gastonia, Shelby area top performers during spring break baseball and softball tournaments

ROUNDING INTO FORM: What Gastonia, Shelby teams baseball and softball teams are playoff-ready? Here are a few.

Baseball

1. Burns (16-0, 6-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): The Bulldogs used late-game heroics to defeat Clover (South Carolina) and Kings Mountain en route to the Shelby Easter Baseball Tournament title, with a 14-2 rout of Piedmont sandwiched between.
2. Gaston Christian (8-2, 2-1 NCISAA Metrolina): Following spring break, Gaston Christian eases back into action Tuesday with a matchup at SouthLake Christian, which is 4-10 on the season.
3. North Lincoln (10-3, 4-1 Western Foothills 3A): North Lincoln enjoyed its time on the Grand Strand on South Carolina, outscoring opponents 34-4 on its way to a three-game sweep at the South Atlantic Bank Invitational. The Knights are currently on a six-game win streak.
4. East Lincoln (12-3, 4-2 Western Foothills 3A): East Lincoln also enjoyed its trip to the Myrtle Beach area, upping its win streak to six games following victories over teams from Kentucky and New Jersey.
5. Kings Mountain (11-4, 6-0 Big South 3A): Kings Mountain came within a breath of dealing Burns its first loss of the season. The Mountaineers begin an important final stretch with two games this week against North Gaston.
6. South Point (8-4, 6-0 Big South 3A): The Red Raiders have won eight of their last nine, their only loss a 4-2 setback to Davie County over spring break. South Point has two games against Hunter Huss this week, with a non-conference matchup against East Gaston lumped between.
7. North Gaston (10-4, 4-2 Big South 3A): The Wildcat pitching staff allowed one run during the Gaston County Easter Baseball Tournament, propelling it to a repeat title. North Gaston opens a key Big South 3A series with North Gaston on Tuesday.
8. East Gaston (13-3, 8-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): A sloppy outing in last Thursday’s Gaston County Easter Baseball Tournament final yielded the Warriors’ third loss of the season. East Gaston looks to keep its Southern Piedmont 1A/2A title hopes alive this week in a two-game set with Cherryville.

Softball

1. Kings Mountain (10-0, 6-0 Big South 3A): The Lady Mountaineers have allowed a mere eight runs this season, with their pitchers combining for 118 strikeouts between them. Kings Mountain takes on Crest and North Gaston this week.
2. Crest (9-2, 6-0 Big South 3A): Crest’s spring break ended on a sour note, held to one hit in a 5-0 loss to West Wilkes. The Chargers look to rebound Tuesday against rival Kings Mountain, which has yet to permit a run to Big South 3A competition.
3. Cherryville (10-1, 4-0 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): The Lady Ironmen are on a 10-game win streak, scoring more than 14 runs per game during the stretch. Cherryville takes on East Gaston in a key two-game set this week.
4. East Lincoln (5-4, 4-1 Western Foothills 3A): East Lincoln is again in the mix for a Western Foothills 3A title, a game behind Foard for the league lead. Paying a visit to the Foard on Tuesday, we’ll soon know more about the Lady Mustangs’ title aspirations.
5. North Lincoln (10-3, 4-2 Western Foothills 3A): The Knights begin this week on a six-game win streak after a trio of victories over spring break. The next three games are key, though, North Lincoln hosting North Iredell, St. Stephens and Foard in succession.
6. East Gaston (7-3, 5-1 Southern Piedmont 1A/2A): Seven Warriors are hitting .500 or better this season. Such bodes well potentially for East Gaston in a two-game series this week against a prolific Cherryville lineup.
7. Lincoln Charter (8-4, 7-0 Catawba Shores 1A/2A): The Eagles are the last undefeated team in Catawba Shores 1A/2A play, holding a two-game lead in the loss column over Pine Lake Prep and Mountain Island Charter.
8. Forestview (7-4, 4-2, Big South 3A): Forestview went into spring break on a three-game win streak, averaging over 15 runs per game during the stretch. The Jaguars take on Stuart Cramer and Ashbrook this week.