Upstate Softball Signee Alexander Leads North Davidson To N.C. 4A Title
6/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Spartanburg, S.C. – USC Upstate softball signee Hannah Alexander tossed a no-hitter in the opening game of the championship round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 4A state tournament in Raleigh, then earned the win in the championship game to earn MVP honors and lead North Davidson to the state championship over the weekend.
Alexander, who is one of the state's top pitchers and alternates starts in the circle with teammate Tess Swing, got the ball to open the championship round of the tournament against T.C. Roberson on Friday. She tossed a no-hitter and struck out 11 in five innings of work as the Black Knights run-ruled Roberson, 10-0. Alexander averaged over two strikeouts per inning in dominating the Rams.
North Davidson, which is ranked No. 1 in the country in the latest USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll, scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, then broke the game open with three runs in the second and four in the third to erase any thought that Roberson had of pulling off another upset in the tournament. Alexander and the Black Knights took the Western Region championship with the win.
North Davidson dispatched of Harnett Central High School in the championship game of the winner's bracket Friday night, taking a 7-3 victory to advance to the championship on Saturday. T.C. Roberson and Harnett Central played Saturday morning and Roberson took the win to advance to the championship to play North Davidson.
Alexander, who watched as Swing earned the win against Harnett Central Friday night, took the circle on Saturday and kept Roberson scoreless through three innings. North Davidson built a commanding 7-0 lead with a run in the first and six runs in the second inning.
T.C. Roberson cut into the lead with two runs in the fourth inning, but Alexander recovered and tossed a scoreless fifth. Swing entered the game in the sixth inning and threw the final two innings to finish the game as the Black Knights took a 7-2 win.
Alexander was named the tournament MVP after going 4-0 with a perfect game and a no-hitter in the tournament. North Davidson finished the season with a perfect 33-0 record. Alexander ended the year 17-0 to lead the Black Knights.
