(2) Wakefield softball fourth round after departure (7) Lumberton in extract

For the second straight season, Wakefield softball will host the fourth round of the 4A East playoffs.

The Wolverines snuck past Lumberton 2-1 in extra innings thanks to a leadoff error that allowed Brenna Colleran to score from second base.

After Dayna Bland singled to set up the top of the Pirates order to start the eighth inning, she and Colleran singled to set the stage for Brooke Masingale.

A slow hit ball to short was sent to third in an attempt to knock out the lead runner. Instead, the throw sailed wide of the bag and rolled into foul territory to secure the win.

As the game wore on, Bland began to settle into a groove. Four of her seven hits came in the final two innings. In all, he went the distance and allowed just three hits.

Lumberton righty Halona Sampson was able to match her pitch for the pitch. In eight innings of work, she struck out seven while allowing five hits.

Four of those five hits came from the eight and nine hitters in the Wolverines lineup, Colleran and Bland.

Despite putting three on base in the first inning, it took the Pirates until the fourth to get going offensively.

Tiara Stueck, who reached base in three of her four trips to the plate, singled to start the inning. Alona Hanna followed with a single of her own. Stueck’s courtesy runner, Mackenzie Register, advanced along with Hanna on a wild pitch to put the two in scoring position with nobody out.

Wakefield appeared to have gotten a crucial out when Jaelyn Hammond hit a ball back into the circle. Bland saw Register caught between third and home and began an analysis. The Wolverines’ return throw to third base was fumbled, allowing the freshman to run home safely.

Three pitches into the bottom half of the inning, Wakefield came back.

Brianna Riehle launched a home run down the left field line to tie things at 1-1. For Riehle, the bomb was her fifth of the season.

No offense could get going until Masingale put the ball into play which scored Colleran to win it.

The Wolverines will come back and play the fourth round instantly on Friday night at home. It will be the fourth meeting of the season between Wakefield and Wake Forest. Wakefield swept the regular season series 3-0 by a combined score of 22-4. Since losing on May 3 in the conference tournament final, the Cougars have outscored opponents 23-4.

That includes a 6-1 win over Corinth Holders in the third round on Wednesday night.