Here's how Kings Mountain softball got over hump vs. Crest to claim Big South 3A title

BOILING SPRINGS — Kevin Cruise has yearned for his Kings Mountain softball team to be discussed in the same breath as perennial powerhouse Crest.

“Just look across the outfield fence there and you see conference championship after conference championship after conference championship,” he said. “It’s such a credit to the program (Crest softball coach Gregory Earl) has built here, and this community. We strive to be that; that’s the way it’s been for as long as I’ve been (softball coach at Kings Mountain).”

It’s been a while, but finally it’s Kings Mountain softball’s turn to step into the spotlight.

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The Lady Mountaineers earned a 2-1 victory Friday night at Crest to claim the Big South 3A softball title. It is Kings Mountain’s first league championship since 2015, when it was part of South Mountain 3A. In addition, it ended Crest’s pursuit of a sixth straight league crown.

“These girls never cease to amaze me,” Cruise said. “It’s just a fun group to be around. One thing can go bad; we talked about battling adversity the other day in practice and how we’d eventually face our own. In those times, our response will determine the outcome. These girls have seen adversity and believe they can overcome it together.”

Though knowing what his team is capable of, a jittery start to Friday’s high stakes matchup left Cruise a tad uneasy. After Crest pitcher Aidan Ledbetter struck out four Kings Mountain batters through the first two innings, the Chargers made the most of a Hayden Lail base hit and two Lady Mountaineer errors to plate the game’s first run.

Crest (15-4, 12-2 Big South 3A) seemed in line for a big inning, with runners on second and third and none out. However, two Maddie Huffman strikeouts and a successful pickoff attempt allowed her and Kings Mountain to work out an early jam.

Ledbetter again dazzled against Kings Mountain, pitching a complete game in which she allowed two runs on three hits and 12 strikeouts. The Lady Mountaineers made her pay for the few instances she erred, plating two runs in the top of the fourth.

Huffman got things started with a base hit to center field, with Kayla McSwain bringing her in moments later on an RBI triple. McSwain gave her team the lead shortly after, scoring on a wild pitch.

“We worked on swinging at strikes and laying off certain pitches she throws,” Cruise said. “She’s such a dominant pitcher and it’s so fun to go against a competitor like (Ledbetter).”

Two runs proved enough for Huffman, who struck out 11 in hurling a complete game. In addition to hits by Huffman and McSwain, catcher Paige Fleming also had a base hit.

With a league title in hand, Cruise and the Lady Mountaineers now are shifting their focus to the NCHSAA 3A playoffs. Kings Mountain (18-0, 14-0) is likely to begin the postseason as a No. 2 seed, with games at home until up to the 3A West regional final.

“All the records reset; it doesn’t matter who lines up against you, they are trying to beat us like we beat them,” he said. “The bad thing now is, you lose and you go home. There’s a finality to it, and our girls know that. Games like (Friday night) really help prepare us for what’s to come.”

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Here's how Kings Mountain softball got over hump vs. Crest to claim Big South 3A title