On Thursday, March 12th, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) announced that all Spring sports are postponed indefinitely due to the Coronavirus epidemic. This news effected many teams and families across North Carolina, however, it really crushed Topsail High School’s Softball team. The Lady Pirates were 4-0 and playing great team ball before their season was cut short.

The first game of the season, Topsail played Richlands High School on Wednesday, March 4th and beat them 12-0 on a valiant effort by pitcher Emma Neeley. Neeley posted 13 strikeouts, and allowed only 3 hits and 2 walks en route to a complete game shutout. Tyesha Williams went 4-4 with 5 RBIS, and Darbie Lisk had 3 hits, along with a 2 run home run to help the Pirates walk away with the win.

The Lady Pirates then hosted North Johnston High School on Friday, March 6th and rallied in the sixth inning to win, 14-7. Topsail scored 9 in the sixth, led by a grand slam by Sydney Hartgrove (A Topsail Youth Sports Daily Spotlight Athlete), and a solo homer by Tyesha Williams. Addy Howard struck out 7 for the Pirates, pitched a complete game, and gave Topsail the win on Topsail’s home opener.

Richlands High School came to Hampstead to rematch Topsail on Monday, March 9th, and the Lady Pirates posted 3 runs to secure a 3-0 victory. Emma Neeley threw another complete game shutout, striking out 14 batters with 6 hits and zero walks allowed. Zoey Vincent and Olivia Visconti (another Topsail Youth Sports Daily Spotlight Athlete), contributed with 2 hits each, and Shayne Collins had a clutch RBI single in the 6th inning to secure the win for the Pirates.

Topsail hosted the North Brunswick Scorpions on their most recent game, Friday, March 13th, and beat the Scorpions 9-1. Sydney Hartgrove and Tyesha Williams each had 3 RBIS, and Nee Nee Jordan had 2 hits and scored twice in the team’s victory. Addy Howard threw a complete game, only giving up 1 run and striking out 10 to help the Pirates win their fourth straight game.

All Topsail parents and coaches hope that sports can resume as soon as possible, and the Lady Pirates can stay hot for the remainder of the season.