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With the spring season in its final weeks, Chatham County teams are seeing their seasons end, while some still have life in the playoffs. Here’s a rundown of who’s been eliminated and who is still standing after last week’s postseason action:
Softball
No. 7 Jordan-Matthews’ successful 2024 season came to an end in the fourth round of the 2A state playoffs Friday. The Jets lost to No. 3 Midway, 8-3. Jordan-Matthews got itself in an early hole as Midway jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning. By the third inning, the Raiders grew their lead to eight runs, and the Jets didn’t get on the board until the fourth inning. Jordan-Matthews held Midway to eight runs for the rest of the game, however, it couldn’t find enough offense to rally back.
The Jets ended the year with a 20-5 overall record which is their most wins in one season (including playoffs) since 2016. They also made the fourth round of the playoffs that year. Jordan-Matthews also finished as co-champions of the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference, sharing the title with Chatham Central.
Before the fourth-round loss, Jordan-Matthews upset No. 2 Roanoke Rapids in the third round on May 15. Jordan-Matthews and Roanoke Rapids were tied at one run apiece from the first inning to the top of the sixth. Roanoke Rapids took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Jets, like they’ve done multiple times this season, rallied back to take an 8-2 lead after the top of the seventh inning. Jordan-Matthews held on and got the final three outs to secure the win.
Girls’ Soccer
No. 4 Seaforth continued its streak of destruction after beating No. 5 East Duplin, 7-0, in the third round of the 2A state playoffs Monday. Sophomore Sofia Viana made her 100th career goal in the win. In the second round Thursday, the Hawks also dominated No. 20 Beddingfield, 10-0. Against the Bruins, the Hawks once again ended a playoff game in one half after unleashing a barrage of goals. Junior Caitlin Erman led the team with five goals, and Viana poured in three while also assisting on a team-high four scores. The other two scores came from sophomores Carsyn Ward and Luisa Olmos.
Seaforth will play at No. 1 Franklin Academy in the fourth round Thursday.
No. 14 Northwood’s season ended in a 7-3 loss to No. 3 Roanoke Rapids in the second round of the 2A playoffs Thursday. The Chargers ended their season with a 13-9 overall record which is their most wins in one year (including playoffs) since 2019. Northwood won 16 games and made it to the third round of the playoffs that year.
In the second round of the 1A playoffs, No. 2 Woods Charter beat No. 18 North Moore, 5-2. The Wolves took care of No. 10 East Wake Academy in the third round Monday, 5-1. They’ll host the fourth round Thursday against No. 6 East Bladen.