North Stokes Vikings Dominate Murphy Bulldogs in 7-1 Playoff Victory

The North Stokes Vikings varsity baseball team showcased their prowess on Tuesday, May 6, defeating the Murphy Bulldogs 7-1 in a commanding home playoff game at North Stokes High School. The Vikings’ balanced offensive attack and stellar pitching performance propelled them to victory, advancing their postseason journey.

North Stokes (24-25) wasted no time asserting control, scoring one run in the first inning and erupting for three more in the second to build a 4-0 lead. They added two runs in the fourth and one in the sixth, finishing with seven runs on eight hits. Elijah Whicker led the Vikings’ offense, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, while Cash Dalton sparked the lineup with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Jackson Lester and John Pratt also contributed, each scoring a run and driving in one. The Vikings capitalized on their opportunities, drawing five walks and stealing two bases, while their defense held firm despite three errors.

Murphy (24-25) struggled to find their rhythm against North Stokes’ ace, Elijah Whicker, who pitched a complete game, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out two and walking three over seven innings. The Bulldogs’ lone run came in the fifth inning when Alex Roldan scored, driven in by Colton Morgan’s single. Murphy managed five hits, with Aayden Williams leading the way, going 1-for-2 with a .500 on-base percentage. Despite their efforts, the Bulldogs left eight runners on base and committed one error, unable to mount a comeback.

North Stokes’ pitching and timely hitting proved too much for Murphy, whose pitchers Zack Hogsed and Colton Morgan combined for six innings, surrendering six earned runs on eight hits. Hogsed allowed one run in two innings, while Morgan gave up five runs over four frames. The Vikings’ aggressive approach at the plate and Whicker’s dominance on the mound sealed the 7-1 final score.

With this decisive win, North Stokes advances in the North Carolina high school baseball playoffs, carrying momentum from their offensive depth and pitching strength. Meanwhile, Murphy’s season comes to a close, ending their 24-25 campaign with a hard-fought effort against a formidable opponent.