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Youthful roster gives South Point softball hope for bright future
TL;DR
South Point softball's season ended with a 10-5 loss to Carson in the NCHSAA 5A West playoffs. Despite the defeat, the team's youthful roster shows promise for the future.
Key points
- South Point softball lost 10-5 to Carson in playoffs
- The team had a youthful roster
- Leah Horne emphasized the team's hard work
- South Point was the No. 15 seed in the playoffs
- The team had only two days off this season
Youthful roster gives South Point softball hope for bright future
BELMONT — Moments after leaving the postgame handshake line, Leah Horne joined South Point softball players in taking a knee, hoping to draw a smile in the midst of heartbreak.
“This squad, they’ve worked every day,” she said. “They’ve had maybe two days off this year and haven’t complained. They’ve put their nose to the dirt and kept getting after it, day after day.”
The Red Raiders’ time together ran out Tuesday, May 5, with 18-seed Carson taking a 10-5 win over No. 15 South Point in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A West playoffs.
UPDATED PLAYOFF BRACKET: See NCHSAA, NCISAA softball playoff brackets for Gastonia, Shelby teams
PLAYOFF WATCH LIST: Teams, players to watch as NCHSAA, NCISAA softball playoffs begin
“I told (the team) the biggest thing I took from the season was how they just kept fighting, and the want to stay alive for each other and the love of the game,” Horne said. “That’s really the reason we play, and they did a great job keeping that type of enthusiasm all year, even in tough situations.”
It seemed things would go South Point’s way early on, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the first. All of its damage came with two outs, as three hits and a walk allowed the Red Raiders to draw first blood.
Carson responded with seven consecutive runs of its own, scoring in four of its next five at bats. The Cougar spurt began with patience, six walks and three hit batters aiding their effort. South Point also committed three errors.
Carson bats took over late, particularly that of sophomore shortstop Leah Troutman, who finished 4-for-5 with a home run. Anna Beck added two hits, including a double and an RBI.
Carson pitcher Caylee Snow finished with 12 strikeouts.
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
South Point softball coach Leah Horne talks with her team between innings during their 10-5 loss to Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026.
South Point softball's Reagan Mizzell makes contact during her team's 10-5 loss to Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026.
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
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Youthful roster gives South Point softball hope for bright future
South Point softball coach Leah Horne talks with her team between innings during their 10-5 loss to Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball's Reagan Mizzell makes contact during her team's 10-5 loss to Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026.
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South Point softball takes on Carson in NCHSAA 5A playoffs. Our top shots
South Point softball hosted Carson in the first round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs on May 5, 2026. Carson won, 10-5.
According to Horne, her team’s youth reared its head during the middle innings, allowing Carson to create distance between it and the Red Raiders.
“It was that youthfulness, you know. But fortunately for us that’s something for us to work on going into next season,” the South Point softball coach said.
Destiny Stowe was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Ada Hartge and Reagan Mizzell each contributed a hit and two RBIs.
Despite the disappointing finish, Horne said she’s encouraged by the fact much of her team returns following a 10-10 campaign. It was the second straight double-digit win campaign for the Red Raiders, following seven consecutive seasons with nine wins or less.
After earning the right to host its first playoff game in a decade, Horne said Tuesday’s experience gives the Red Raider program a template for what it hopes is a bright future.
“I’m thankful we were here on this field where we can embrace all the good and bad which happened here, where we made memories,” she said. “We’ll miss our two seniors Taylyn Ledford and Madison Bridges, but we have a lot of great players returning and hopefully some girls with promise from Belmont Middle and maybe Cramerton Middle. We did a lot of good things this season, so hopefully this is the start of something good for us.”
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Why South Point softball has reason for optimism despite playoff loss
Q&A
What was the final score of the South Point softball playoff game?
South Point lost to Carson with a final score of 10-5.
Who is Leah Horne in relation to South Point softball?
Leah Horne is a player on the South Point softball team who expressed pride in her team's hard work despite their loss.
What seed was South Point in the NCHSAA 5A West playoffs?
South Point was the No. 15 seed in the NCHSAA 5A West playoffs.
How many days off did South Point softball have this year?
The South Point softball team had only two days off this year.