ACHS Teams advance to playoffs fourth round

By Editor | May 13, 2026 |

– NCHSAA 6A PLAYOFFS –

Lady Cougars demolish TC Roberson; advance to fourth round

ACHS will face top-seeded Kings Mountain

By DN PENNELL, Jr.

Alexander Central continued its dominant postseason run Tuesday night, May 12, 2026, overwhelming TC Roberson 15-0 in three innings during third-round action of the NCHSAA 6A State Softball Playoffs at Central Park.

With the victory, the Cougars improved to 21-7 overall and advanced to the fourth round of the 6A West bracket, where Alexander Central will travel to face top-seeded Kings Mountain.
Kyla Hamby (14-7) earned the win in the circle, tossing a three-inning no-hitter. Hamby struck out five and walked one while facing just 10 batters.

Alexander Central wasted little time taking control, scoring single runs in the first and second innings before erupting for 13 runs in the third inning to end the contest via the mercy rule.

The Cougars finished with 12 hits and were aggressive on the bases throughout the evening.

Ava Hamby led the offensive attack with a huge performance, going 2-for-2 with a pair of home runs and four RBI. Alivia Smith also had a big night at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Lyla Mayberry added two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs for the Cougars. Kyla Hamby, Kensley Davis, Alyssa Chapman, Laney Mayberry and Kayleigh Porter contributed one hit apiece.

TC Roberson was limited to just one baserunner in the contest, reaching on a walk in the second inning.

Alexander Central played error-free defense behind Hamby and turned in another strong postseason effort on both sides of the ball.

The Lady Cougars will hit the road for round four action on Friday, May 15, when they travel to top-seeded Kings Mountain. Kings Mountain. The top-seed knocked off Charlotte Catholic 14-1 in Tuesday’s third-round clash.

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ACHS edges Watauga to reach fourth round

Cougars to host St. Stephens in round four matchup

By DN PENNELL, Jr.

Top-seeded Alexander Central continued its postseason run Tuesday night, May 12, 2026, edging Northwestern 6A/7A Conference rival Watauga 3-2 in the third round of the NCHSAA 6A State Baseball Playoffs at Bob Gryder Stadium.

With the victory, the Cougars improved to 24-3 overall and advanced to the fourth round of the 6A West bracket. Alexander Central will host league foe St. Stephens on Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in Taylorsville.

The Cougars enter the matchup having already defeated St. Stephens three times this season. Tuesday’s win also marked Alexander Central’s fourth victory over Watauga during the 2026 campaign.

In a tightly contested playoff battle, Alexander Central manufactured runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings while relying on strong pitching and steady defense to hold off the Pioneers late.

The Cougars finished with seven hits on the evening. Koa Mikeal led the offense, going 2-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored. Gunnar Johnson delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the fifth inning, ripping an RBI double to plate the deciding run. Graham Hoke and Maddix Reese also added hits, while Wyatt Smith added a hit and RBI.

Watauga pushed across two runs in the top of the fourth inning to briefly take a 2-1 lead, but Alexander Central answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning before Johnson’s clutch extra-base hit in the fifth provided the final margin.

Carter Bowman (9-1) earned the win on the mound for Alexander Central, working 6.1 innings. Bowman allowed five hits and two earned runs while striking out three and walking four. Gunnar Johnson recorded the final two outs in relief to secure his fourth save of the season.