Cedar Ridge High School

It’s a good thing the softball scoreboard at Cedar Ridge High School was installed only five years ago.

If it was any older, every fuse on it would have been blown out Tuesday night.

In the Central Conference Tournament semifinals, Orange and Cedar Ridge combined for 29 runs, 26 hits, one monstrous comeback by Orange and a game-winning RBI by Laci Sykes.

After Cedar Ridge went into the bottom of the seventh trailing 14-13, Sykes knocked in Parker Kennedy on a grounder to second base. Kennedy beat the throw from Orange’s Natalie Roberson for the game-winning run to send Cedar Ridge past Orange 15-14 in the Central Conference Tournament semifinals.

The Red Wolves will face Eastern Alamance on Thursday night in Mebane. The Eagles, who beat out Cedar Ridge by one game for first place to take the regular season crown, edged Western Alamance 2-1 in the other semifinal.

“Hats off to them, they’re one heck of a team,” said Cedar Ridge Softball Coach Allan Byrd, who earned his 100th career win against Orange two weeks ago. “They battled back and we faltered for an inning or two, kinda played sloppy. But at the end of the day, these kids came together and played as a team.”

On a zany night, Orange trailed 12-4 at the end of the third inning. Junior Katie Carden triggered a comeback with a grand slam in the fourth inning. Orange scored ten of the next eleven runs, including an inside the park home run by Karley Neighbours in the fifth, immediately followed by an RBI single from Sadie Cecil to score Hayleigh Hammond to cut the Red Wolf lead to 12-10.

Trailing 13-11 going into the top of the seventh, Cecil knocked in Hammond again with a line drive to left field. Cecil took second on the throw and advanced to third off a wild pitch. Orange freshman Molly Kate Ollis lofted a pop-up that Cedar Ridge second baseman Brittani Goddard caught on the edge of the outfield grass. Tempting fate, Cecil tagged up from third with the ball barely 80 feet from home plate, but slid in safely to tie the game. After Carden walked, Orange catcher Allie Carden drilled a double that one-hopped the wall in right centerfield, scoring Katie Carden from first base to give Orange a 14-13 lead, its first advantage since it was 3-2 in the first inning.

Facing freshman Lexi Bowes, Orange’s third pitcher of the night, Cedar Ridge remained poised. Mia Best led off with a double that banged off the black tarp along the outfield fence. Senior Kimber Shambley tied the game at 14-14 with another double that rolled to the outfield wall.

Parker Kennedy, representing the game-winning run, replaced Shambley at second base as a courtesy runner. Charlotte Lowry skied a double to left field, but Kennedy was held at third after she got a late jump. With the bases loaded following an intentional walk to Rylee Capps, Sykes grounded a ball to Roberson at second, whose throw to the plate wasn’t in time as Kennedy slid in safely to end the game at the two-hour and 51-minute mark.

Coming off a win over Person on Monday night in the quarterfinals, Orange scored three runs in the first. Cecil, with the sun setting in her eyes well beyond left field, roped a double off the fence. Cecil, Ollis and Katie Carden all touched the plate in the opening frame.

Cedar Ridge erased that with seven runs in the first inning, keyed by a grand slam by Capps. Goddard delivered a two-run double that plated Sykes and Madeline Galindo-Woodring. Goddard would score off an error.

The Red Wolves built its lead to 12-4 after five runs in the third inning, starting when Galindro-Woodring reached on a triple that edged down the left field line. Raegan Remaly, Shambley, Lowry and Capps would all drive in runs in the inning.

Eastern Alamance took two games from Cedar Ridge during a regular season that had curious timing. Cedar Ridge first faced the Eagles in its third game of the year on March 3, where the Red Wolves led 4-1 going into the seventh inning but lost 8-4 in eight innings. Their last meeting was on March 21, where the Red Wolves had a 4-3 lead going into the sixth before the Eagles scored three runs in the sixth.

“If this team hits the ball like I know we can hit the ball, we’re winning most games,” Byrd said. “We can play with anybody that we’ve played all year. We’ll travel to Mebane on Thursday and give it everything we have. We want it.”

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This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is senior attacker Joshua Hart. Last week, Hart had a hat trick as Cedar Ridge defeated Walter Williams 8-5. It was the Red Wolves first win over the Bulldogs since 2022. The following night, Hart scored five goals as the Red Wolves defeated Southeast Alamance 16-5 inside Red Wolves Stadium. In March, Hart scored seven goals in a 16-5 win over Eastern Alamance as the Red Wolves defeated the Eagles 16-5 in Hillsborough. Hart has been a member of the varsity for three years. In his junior season, Hart scored 34 goals and 57 points as Cedar Ridge returned to the 3A/2A/1A State Playoffs. Hart scored a goal in the opening round against West Carteret High School, the first time that Cedar Ridge hosted a state playoff game since 2022. In addition to his duties with Cedar Ridge lacrosse, Hart has also organised several food drives to benefit the less fortunate. This year, he helped Cedar Ridge set up a drive to compete against Orange in its game at Auman Stadium, which will take place on May 5 to conclude the regular season. Cedar Ridge is looking to reach the state playoffs for the second straight year. They will travel to Graham to face Southern Alamance on Monday night.

Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week: Joshua Hart

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is senior attacker Joshua Hart. Last week, Hart had a hat trick as Cedar Ridge defeated Walter Williams 8-5. It was the Red Wolves first win over the Bulldogs since 2022. The following night, Hart scored five goals as the Red Wolves defeated Southeast Alamance 16-5 inside Red Wolves Stadium.

The final days of the Central Conference has brought out the best baseball from Cedar Ridge.

Days after handing Southern Alamance its first league loss of the year, the Red Wolves scored five runs in the seventh inning to stun the Patriots 6-4 in Graham on Thursday night. John Grove tied the game at 4-4 after he stroked a two-run single into right field to score Ian McGuffey and Quinn Finnegan. Grant McGuffey scored the game-winning run when Patriots closer Eli Gilley was called for a balk. For extra measure, with Dominic Sena at the plate, Grove stole third and scored off a wild pitch.

Hudson Kelly worked a scoreless seventh to earn the win. Kelly, a sophomore, threw three-and-one-thirds scoreless innings in relief of starter Jesus Velazquez, striking out four and scattering only two hits.

Southern Alamance took a 4-1 lead into the seventh inning on the strength of starter Kaden Parker, who surrendered just one run off one hit in three innings. Parker added a solo home run in the first inning.

Mark King put the Patriots ahead in the fourth inning with a two-run double on a pop fly that plopped down into left field to score Camden Whittemore and Lance Siegner. Cooper Partin extended the Patriots’ lead to 4-1 with a bases loaded walk to bring in Johnny Rojas.

Velazquez started the seventh inning rally with an infield hit. Kelly walked and Finnegan reached on another infield hit to load the bases. Ian McGuffey sent a grounder to left field to score Velazquez.

Over the past two weeks, Cedar Ridge has taken three out of four games against Southern Alamance and Orange, the two teams that tied for the Central Conference championship last year.

After Southern Alamance stormed out to a 8-0 start in conference play, their lead in the Central Conference has been whittled down to one game going into the final week of the regular season. Remarkably, Western Alamance, who started league play 0-4, could catch the Patriots when the two teams square off next week in a two-game series. The Warriors will also face Cedar Ridge to make up a game that was rained out earlier this month.

Person (7-3) is one game behind Southern Alamance for first place. The Patriots control the tiebreaker over the Rockets after sweeping a two-game series last month.

Williams 3, Orange 2: On its Senior Night, Orange couldn’t get out of its offensive funk against Williams. The Bulldogs ended a 10-game losing streak with its first win since March 7 on Friday night in Hillsborough.

Earlier in the week, Orange played with fire but didn’t get burned in Burlington. The Panthers were limited to two hits against the Bulldogs but won 2-1, scoring both of its unearned runs in the first inning.

On Friday, Orange blew too many opportunities. In the first, fourth and fifth innings, the Panthers put runners at second and third base with one out and didn’t score.

Senior Eli Horton put the Panthers ahead in the second inning after getting hit on the crown of his helmet by a pitch. Cam Brown bunted Horton over to second base. Horton moved to third after a groundout by Gary Miller. Kayden Bradsher sent a cue shot up the third base line that was bobbled by Mason Fleener, allowing Horton to score.

Bradsher triggered a 6-4-3 double play in the third inning. Immediately aftewards, Williams’ Aidan Pulliam lined a single to left field. Following a walk to Angel Mora, Charlie Smith grooved a single to right field to bring in Pulliam and tie the game.

Pulliam finished 2-for-3 with a double.

William’s Hunter Daniels walked to leadoff the fourth inning with a walk. Jazion Bieglow was hit by a pitch on an 0-2 count. Daniels took third base off a wild pitch. Will Allen skied a fly ball to centerfield. The throw by Mason Grooms to the plate was a beat late as Daniels slid in safely on a sacrifice fly to take the lead.

The Bulldogs added another run in the sixth when Logan Thompson was hit by a pitch. Vince Coker, who earned the win on the mound, sent a tricky pop-up that dropped in between three fielders along the right field line to push the Bulldogs lead to 3-1.

Orange drew closer in the sixth. Cam Brown scored off another infield hit by Bradsher to the left side of the infield. Bradsher, the fastest player on the team, got to third base for the potential tying run. But the Panthers left the bases loaded after a two-out groundout to Mora at shortstop.

Liam Kerr Finger earned his first save of the year working a perfect seventh, the only time in the game Orange went down in order.

For the third year in a row, Williams split a two-game series against Orange. It was their first win in Hillsborough since 2012.

For the first time since 2019, the Cedar Ridge softball team will host a game in the state playoffs. On Thursday night, the Red Wolves defeated Southeast Alamance 5-3 to finish the regular season 14-6. It’s the most regular season wins for Cedar Ridge since they finished 21-3 in 2019, when they last won a conference championship. The Red Wolves finished the regular season 9-3 in the Central Conference, good enough for 2nd place. Senior pitcher Charlotte Lowry threw a complete game to earn the win. She struck out four and improved to 10-2 with a 3.11 ERA. With the game against the Stallions tied in the bottom of the fifth inning, Mia Best stroked a double with one out. Best would go on to score the game-winning run off a passed ball. After she reached on a single earlier in the inning, Raegan Remaly put the Red Wolves ahead 3-1 off a single from Lowry. In the sixth inning, Remaly drove in Madeline Galindo-Woodring with an RBI single. On the same play, Qiaura Rogers would score off an error. Remaly went 3-for-4 against the Stallions. Best finished 2-for-3 with two doubles. Rogers added a triple. Cedar Ridge will start play in the Central Conference Tournament against Walter Williams on Monday.

Cedar Ridge softball’s Rylee Capps discusses win over Southeast Alamance with Curran Campbelll

For the first time since 2019, the Cedar Ridge softball team will host a game in the state playoffs. On Thursday night, the Red Wolves defeated Southeast Alamance 5-3 to finish the regular season 14-6. It’s the most regular season wins for Cedar Ridge since they finished 21-3 in 2019, when they last won a conference championship.

The unpredictable softball race in the Central Conference had one wild, final turn before the regular season ended on Thursday night. Orange defeated Eastern Alamance 6-4 at Panther Softball Field. Eastern Alamance, who had already clinched the Central Conference championship, suffered just its second league loss of the year. Hayleigh Hammond cleared the bases with a three-run double in the fourth inning to pout Orange ahead 3-1. Addison Guentensberger came on in relief of Malynne Roemmich in the fifth inning and delivered the save for Orange. Guentensberger, who started in left field, also drove in a run in the fifth inning with a fly ball that dropped between the second baseman and right fielder, allowing Katie Carden to score. Hammond led off the sixth inning with a double and scored off a single by Katie Carden that dropped fair along the left field line by 18 inches. Allie Carden roped an RBI single to score Sadie Cecil. It was the third game in fourth days for an Orange team that has played in one of the best conference in the state. Senior Rhiley Crabtree went 3-for-3. Hammond finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs. Orange will start play in the Central Conference Tournament with a home game against Southern Alamance on Monday.

Orange softball’s Crabtree, George, Cecil, Carden and Neighbours discuss win over Eastern Alamance

The unpredictable softball race in the Central Conference had one wild, final turn before the regular season ended on Thursday night. Orange defeated Eastern Alamance 6-4 at Panther Softball Field. Eastern Alamance, who had already clinched the Central Conference championship, suffered just its second league loss of the year.

Just in time for the end of the regular season, Cedar Ridge turned the baseball championship race completely on its head. The Red Wolves swept a two-game series from Southern Alamance, who came into the week with a 8-0 conference record. On Tuesday night, the Red Wolves defeated the Patriots 7-1. In his final home conference game, Quinn Finnegan threw a complete game and didn’t allow a run until the seventh inning. Finnegan, the only senior on the team, also triggered a five-run third inning with a leadoff single. Grant McGuffey stroked a double to left field to score Finnegan, pushing the Red Wolves lead to 2-0. McGuffey finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs. McGuffey put Cedar Ridge ahead 7-0 in the fourth inning with a RBI single to score Hudson Kelly. Ian McGuffey went 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Ian lifted a double down the left field line in the third to score Aidan Ryan. Finnegan took part in the annual Cedar Ridge ceremony in postgame where he rounded the bases one final time. Finnegan, who has been a co-Captain of the team three times, put dirt from home plate inside a small bottle where he will keep it as he journeys to Staten Island, New York next year to pitch for Division I Wagner College. Cedar Ridge will face D.H. Conley on Tuesday in Hillsborough.

Cedar Ridge baseball’s Quinn Finnegan, Grant McGuffey and Ian McGuffey discuss win over S. Alamance

Just in time for the end of the regular season, Cedar Ridge turned the baseball championship race completely on its head. The Red Wolves swept a two-game series from Southern Alamance, who came into the week with a 8-0 conference record. On Tuesday night, the Red Wolves defeated the Patriots 7-1.

On his Senior Night, Quinn Finnegan couldn’t leave Red Wolves Field wouldn’t taking something with him.

The park has been a big part of his young life. On Tuesday, he made sure it always will be.

After he became the first pitcher from the Central Conference to beat Southern Alamance this year, Finnegan got to take a final trot around the bases, a tradition at Cedar Ridge for seniors following their final home conference game.

Finnegan took the trip alone because he’s Cedar Ridge only senior this year. His teammates wouldn’t have it any other way.

After he rounded the bases and touched home plate, he pulled out a small bottle, where he put in some dirt from home plate and sealed it with a wooden cap. Finnegan had already placed a label on it reading “Dirt from Home Plate.” He’s taking that bottle with him to Staten Island, New York, where he will pitch at Wagner College next year.

“Wherever I go, I want to take Cedar Ridge with me,” Finnegan said. “This is my home. I’ll keep it on my nightstand in college. It’s going to be with me wherever I go. I have to have a piece of home with me everywhere.”

Though Cedar Ridge is out of the Central Conference championship race, Finnegan has truly saved his best for last.

A week after delivering a complete game and hitting a three-run homer in his first-ever win against Orange, Finnegan made his final conference home game one to remember. He went the distance and allowed just one run as Cedar Ridge surprisingly dominated Southern Alamance 7-1 at Red Wolves Field on Tuesday night.

Southern Alamance, #3 in the latest 3A East Region RPI rankings, suffered its first conference loss and fell to 15-4 overall. It was the least amount of runs for the Patriots in a game this year. Finnegan nearly earned his second straight shutout. Kaden Parker’s RBI single with two out in seventh inning to score Johnny Rojas brought in Southern’s only tally of the night.

“Quinn does things the right way,” said Cedar Ridge head coach Bryson Massey. “He’s done things the right way his whole career here. There’s no better way to go out that finish out your senior year being the best you can be. Who cares about being good at the beginning? Be good at the end. Last week, he dominated at Orange. This week, he dominated here at his last outing.”

He also got run support. Cedar Ridge scored seven unanswered runs against Southern starter Mark King, beginning with John Grove’s line drive to centerfield to score Aidan Ryan, who reached on a one-out walk in the first inning.

Finnegan helped his own cause with a leadoff single in the third. Grant McGuffey roped a double on a liner to left field to bring in Finnegan. After Grove walked, Ian McGuffey sliced another liner to left field to bring in Grant McGuffey and Ryan, pushing Cedar Ridge’s lead to 4-0.

Grove scored after a wild pitch. Walker Holmes scored Ian McGuffey on an RBI groundout to increase Cedar Ridge’s lead to 6-0.

Grant McGuffey, who finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, drove in the final Red Wolf run with an RBI single to bring in Hudson Kelly in the fourth inning.

Southern Alamance had several threats early, but Cedar Ridge delivered possibly its best defensive game of the year. Southern’s Cooper Martin sent a double that rolled to the centerfield fence. King, who singled on the first pitch of the game, held up at third. Noah Madren sent a fly ball to right field, where Carter Warren made the catch. Warren doubled up Partin at second base to end the inning.

The upset postponed Southern Alamance’s coronation as Central Conference champions. The Patriots now lead Person by two games for first place with three league games remaining. Person, who defeated Eastern Alamance on Monday, return to conference action against Williams next Tuesday in Burlington.

“I have a lot of respect for Southern Alamance,” Massey said. “I also believe in my guys wholeheartedly. We’ve played some really good baseball the last two weeks. We’re not going nowhere. We’re here to stay. Cedar Ridge baseball is on the rise. That’s what we expect.”