SMITHFIELD -- The Community Christian girls soccer team bounced Wayne Christian, 1-0, in Monday's 1-A Carolina Christian Conference semifinal at Johnston Christian in Smithfield.
Auburn Smith scored the lone goal on an assist from Meredith Sharp in the 12th minute. Sharp sent a pass across to Smith, who made two touches and scored.
"She just buried it," Lady Cyclones head coach Rhine Sharp said enthusiastically. "It was nice."
CCS, the conference's No. 2 seed, improved to 10-2 overall and advanced to today's final against Trinity of Raleigh at 6 p.m.
Lindsay Baldridge made nine saves, as the Lady Cyclones outshot Wayne Christian 23-11, despite Wayne Christian's increased physical intensity late in the in the game.
Sharp also highlighted the play of Meredith Sharp, Caroline Sharp, Mollie Baldridge, Kathryn Smith and Graysen Smith after Auburn Smith suffered an asthma attack and had to sit out most of the game.
BASEBALL
Five-run first keys Knights' 10-8 win
The Greenfield baseball team jumped out to an early five-run lead and held off visiting non-conference Trinity Christian, 10-8, on Monday in Fleming Stadium.
The Knights improved to 7-13 overall heading into tonight's regular-season finale at home against Wayne Country Day.
Zach Moore led Greenfield's offense, going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Josh Garloch also went 2 for 3.
Sam Kirk earned the complete-game win for the Knights.
Score by innings:
Trinity Christian 100 211 2 -- 8
Greenfield 501 202 x -- 10
WP-Sam Kirk. LP-T. Jackson.
LEADING HITTERS -- Moore 2-4 2B 2RBI; Garloch 2-3.
BOYS TENNIS
Knights win tough test against RMA
The Greenfield tennis team pulled out a tough 5-4 win against visiting Rocky Mount Academy on Monday.
The Knights (9-4 overall, 5-0 1-A Coastal Plain Independent Conference) split singles matches, then the teams of Averette Packard-Robert Daniels and Clayton Stakes-John Dandanell won two of the three doubles matches for the win.
"This match was great preparation for Wednesday," Greenfield coach Will Cobb said. "We needed a tough match to get ready to play for a regular-season conference championship (against Kerr-Vance)."
In singles, Greenfield earned key wins from No. 5 Cameron Homes and No. 6 Dandanell -- each losing the first set before winning in three sets.
RMA of the 2-A Eastern Plains Independent Conference dropped to 8-6 overall.
The Knights welcome Kerr-Vance on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. for the outright conference championship, meaning Greenfield would take sole possession with a win and share with KVA with a loss.
GREENFIELD 5,
ROCKY MOUNT ACADEMY 4
Averette Packard (GF) def. Gavin Mackenzie, 6-3, 6-4; Bill Brewer (RMA) def. Robert Daniels, 6-2, 7-5; Shaunak Varma (RMA) def. Clayton Stakes, 6-1, 6-4; Kenan Ezzard (RMA) def. Mitchell Sheets, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4; Cameron Homes (GF) def. Will Noble, 2-6, 6-2 (10-3); John Dandanell (GF) def. Seth Muller, 4-6, 6-3 (10-5).
Packard-Daniels (GF) def. Mackenzie-Varma, 8-0; Stakes-Dandanell (GF) def. Brewer-Duncan Barnes, 8-6; Essard-Andrew Purinai (RM) def. Homes-Bennett Moore, 8-0.