Daily Roundup: April 28, 2026

COASTAL PREPS THREE STARS OF THE NIGHT

**The rankings by each area team come from the Coastal Preps Power Rankings***

BOYS LACROSSE

Hoggard 6, Topsail 5

***Click here to view a gallery of 60 photos from the action***

A terrific 15-save performance from junior goalie Carson Grudzien lifted the Pirates to a hard-fought home victory. 

Topsail (15-4, 10-2 Carolina Coast) led 5-4 at halftime after Liam Riggs forced a turnover and scored with one second on the clock.

Both teams scored only once in a second half dominated by the defenses. 

Hoggard (13-2, 11-1) tied the score on Jackson Burgee’s second goal with 7:54 left in the third quarter. 

Eric Deprato put the Pirates on top for good a little less than two minutes into the final quarter. 

The other goals were scored by George Calvillo (two), Josh McKay, and Barrett Swinson. 

The Vikings also got an incredible performance from their goalie, Emory Oblinger. 

Noah Hansen, Reed Meyer, and Drew Stone all found the back of the net once. 

A home game against West Brunswick at 6:45 p.m. Friday awaits Topsail. Hoggard welcomes Laney on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

New Hanover 13, West Brunswick 12

The Wildcats snapped a seven-game losing streak and completed the season sweep by rallying from a 9-7 deficit after three quarters. 

Conlan Kane scored five goals and dished out an assist. Reid Finnerty added four goals and one assist, while John King had two goals and one assist.

New Hanover’s (3-14, 3-9 Carolina Coast) other goals came from Nolan Smyth and Bennett Ward. 

Goalie Jaden McCallum finished with 11 saves. 

The Wildcats host Ashley at 5 p.m. on Friday. West Brunswick (3-14, 1-11) travels to Topsail on Friday night at 6:45.

Other scores

Laney 15, South Brunswick 5

GIRLS LACROSSE

New Hanover 22, West Brunswick 2

The dominant victory, along with Topsail’s loss at Hoggard, moved the Wildcats into sole possession of first place in the Carolina Coast Conference. 

New Hanover (16-2, 11-1) can clinch at least a share of its first-ever conference title with a home win over Ashley on Friday at 7 p.m. 

Carson McWhorter led the way offensively with five goals and one assist. Maizie Lewis added four goals and two assists, while Elsie Lewis recorded a hat trick and dished out a pair of assists. 

The Wildcats got two goals apiece from Marley Andersen, Kaylie Clark, and Caroline Nelson.

Della Conway, Kate Harper, Ella Prickett, and Elizabeth Sifly all put home one goal.

West Brunswick (6-10, 2-10) visits Topsail at 5 p.m. Friday.

Hoggard 12, Topsail 10

Gigi Frick scored the final three goals to give the Vikings a comeback victory on their home field.

It was a game of runs. Hoggard (13-5, 10-3 Carolina Coast) raced out to a 4-1 lead, and still held a 7-4 advantage after Frick opened the second half with a goal.

Topsail (12-4, 12-2) went on a 6-1 run that featured three goals from Gwen Gunn to take a 10-8 lead. 

A goal from Mia Shade with 11:06 remaining cut the deficit to one. Frick evened the score a little over a minute later and then put the Vikings on top with 5:03 to play. 

Frick finished with six goals, one assist, and eight draw controls. Camden Reed added three goals, while Shade finished with two. 

Camryn Lynge scored the other goal. 

Both teams play again on Friday. The Vikings visit Laney at 6:30 p.m., while the Pirates host West Brunswick at 5 p.m.

BASEBALL

No. 4 Hoggard 6, No. 8 North Brunswick 5 (8 innings)

Ryan Bowden delivered a walk-off single to cap a late comeback and give the Vikings their sixth win in the past seven games. 

Hoggard (15-8, 5-6 Carolina Coast) trailed 5-0 before scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. 

Christian Atkinson had an RBI double and later crossed the plate on a wild pitch. Brandon Bush and Preston Smith also scored on a wild pitch. 

A two-out base hit to right field from Taylor Stewart plated Atkinson to tie the score in the sixth inning. 

Bair Kunyel led off the eighth with a walk before being replaced by pinch runner Sawyer Stott. A balk moved him to second base, and set up Bowden’s heroics.

North Brunswick’s (11-11, 4-7) Dylan Stacks went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning.

Fisher Goodwin finished 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. 

The Vikings make the short trip to Ashley for a 6:30 p.m. game on Thursday. The Scorpions host Lumberton on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

No. 5 Laney 5, No. 1 New Hanover 2

The Buccaneers snapped a four-game losing streak by building a 4-0 lead after two innings.

In the bottom of the first, JB Brooks beat out a bunt for a two-out single. Owen Gore followed with a home run. 

Evan Skobel doubled the lead an inning later with a two-run base hit. 

Laney (14-7, 6-5 Carolina Coast) starting pitcher Dominic Civelli scattered two hits and struck out six batters in five innings. The run he allowed was unearned. 

New Hanover’s (17-6, 9-2) runs scored on a sacrifice fly from Nick Marren in the third inning and a groundout from Carter Ponnett in the sixth. 

Both teams have road games at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Buccaneers travel to North Brunswick, while the Wildcats visit Topsail.

No. 7 West Brunswick 7, No. 9 Ashley 0

Wesley Wilson pitched a two-hitter with nine strikeouts, and the Trojans secured their second straight shutout. 

Josiah Borton gave West Brunswick (13-10, 7-5 Carolina Coast) an early lead with a two-out double that plated Cooper Wilson. 

Nate Fish followed with an RBI single to right field. 

The Trojans tacked on three more runs in the third inning and completed their scoring with a two-run single from Cayden Wood in the fifth.

A game at Carolina Forest, S.C. on Wednesday at 6 p.m. is next for West Brunswick. 

Ashley (4-19, 1-10) hosts Hoggard at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

No. 10 Trask 14, No. 11 Pender 3 (5 innings)

For the second day in a row, the Titans rolled to a mercy-rule victory.

Trask (9-11, 1-8 East Central) sent 18 batters to the plate during a 12-run bottom of the second inning. 

Brantley Lunsford led off with a double and scored the tying run on a single from fellow senior Jaden Reece-Murray.

Namon Holly worked a walk with the bases loaded and scored on a double from Gabe Vanvliet-Strickland. 

Later in the inning, Vanvliet-Strickland singled home two more runs to complete the scoring. 

Drew Bailey went 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs.

Lunsford earned the win by allowing one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts in three innings. 

The teams play at Pender (2-18, 0-9) on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Faith Christian 4, No. 6 Wilmington Christian Academy 3

The Patriots built a 3-0 lead after two innings, but couldn’t hold on in the nonconference defeat.

Freshman Kingston Rupert went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs scored from the leadoff spot. 

Cayden Woolard singled home a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. He also pitched a complete game, allowing only three earned runs. 

WCA (19-5) hosts Faith Christian on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Cape Fear 2, No. 3 Topsail 1

UNC signee Rhett Britt was the hard-luck loser despite striking out 10 batters and allowing only two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Topsail (16-7) tied the score at 1-1 on a one-out double from Braeden Ritchie in the top of the second inning. The visitors failed to tack on more runs despite loading the bases with one out. 

Gibson Todd had two of the six hits and also stole three bases. 

The Pirates return home to take on New Hanover at 6:30 p.m. Friday. 

West Bladen 8, No. 2 South Brunswick 3

The Cougars allowed seven unearned runs in the top of the first inning and weren’t able to rally. 

Center fielder Wyatt Clewis had a nice night at the plate by going 3-for-4 with a stolen base and one run scored. 

Sid Dale went 2-for-4, while Jayden Daniels had a walk and a double. 

Jess Bowling pitched the final six innings, allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts. 

South Brunswick (14-9, 6-3 Southeastern) plays at West Bladen on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Other scores

John Paul II 8, No. 12 Coastal Christian 1

SOFTBALL

No. 7 Trask 6, No. 8 Pender 0

Dava Bullard tossed a two-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks in the rivalry win.

Trask (12-4, 7-2 East Central) finished with seven hits from five players. Leadoff batter Jalyn Reece-Murray was 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and three runs scored. 

Taylor Sparkman went 2-for-2 with two walks, a double, two RBI, and one run.

An RBI groundout from Lauren Hall in the first inning put the Titans on top for good. A three-run third inning gave Bullard more than enough support. 

The teams will play at Pender (11-5, 4-5) on Friday at 6 p.m.

No. 10 Wilmington Christian Academy 16, No. 11 Coastal Christian 0 (4 innings)

Amelia Naylor had an excellent day in the circle and at the plate to give the Patriots a season sweep.

Naylor threw a no-hitter with six strikeouts and only one walk. She also had two doubles and four RBI.

WCA (6-6) scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning and added eight more in the third. 

Naylor ended the game by mercy rule with her second double, which scored Arden Taylor from third base.

Sixth grader Sevaya Shifflett went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. 

Peyton Hedge, Lydia Naylor, and Bayleigh Robinson all finished with two hits and a pair of RBI. 

The Patriots welcome Harrells Christian Academy at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Coastal Christian (1-7) plays at Wayne Christian on Friday at 6 p.m.

No. 3 Hoggard 2, No. 6 North Brunswick 0

The Vikings avenged an earlier-season loss by scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning. 

Chloe Gallagher worked a leadoff walk. Sophie Gee followed with a base hit, and both runners advanced an extra base on an error on the same play. 

Addison Jumper drove in Gallagher with a groundout. Gee was able to race home on a sacrifice fly from Ava Cook.

That was all Hoggard (11-8, 5-4 Carolina Coast) freshman pitcher Sydney Perry would need. She allowed only one hit and struck out 12 batters in a complete game.

North Brunswick (9-12, 4-5) also got a strong outing from its freshman pitcher, Gabby Elkins. She allowed two hits and recorded three strikeouts. 

Both teams will be back in action on Friday. The Vikings play at Ashley at 6 p.m., while the Scorpions host Laney at 6:30 p.m.

No. 5 West Brunswick 7, No. 9 Ashley 1

The top two batters in the Trojans’ lineup – Mylee Sneed and Kady Long – combined to go 6-for-7. 

Sneed finished 3-for-3 with a double, two walks, one RBI, and two runs scored. Long was 3-for-4 with a triple, a walk, two stolen bases, three RBI, and one run.

Brooke Somers doubled home Sneed in the third inning to give West Brunswick (16-6, 6-4 Carolina Coast) a 1-0 lead.

Natalie Ward had an RBI groundout, and Pressley Wilson followed with a sacrifice fly that plated 

The other four runs came in the fifth inning. 

Wilson and fellow pitcher Olivia Brown combined for eight strikeouts and only one walk. 

Two of Ashley’s (4-15, 0-9) five hits came from Elin Bentley. 

The Trojans host Gray’s Creek at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Screaming Eagles host Lumberton on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

No. 4 Laney 11, Croatan 6

The Buccaneers pounded out 18 hits and scored at least one run in each of the first five innings to prevail at home.

Brileigh Matthews went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, four RBI, and three runs scored. 

Briley Foster, Makenly Horrell, and Isabella Stevens all finished 2-for-3 with one RBI. Carly Krueger was 2-for-4 with a double. 

Horrell recorded seven strikeouts in five innings to earn the win. 

Laney (11-7) visits North Brunswick on Friday night at 6:30.

No. 2 South Brunswick 10, West Bladen 0 (5 innings)

Thirteen batters came to the plate during a nine-run bottom of the first inning that helped keep the Cougars unbeaten in Southeastern Conference play.

A one-out RBI single from Addison Sellers in the bottom of the fourth inning increased the lead to 10-0 and allowed the game to end early by mercy rule. 

South Brunswick (17-5, 9-0) pitchers Lacie Britt and Hayden Gulick combined on a three-hitter with three strikeouts. 

Carly Clewis went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI, and one run. Shea Brown and Savana Burgess both scored twice. 

Next up is a game at West Bladen on Thursday at 6 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

No. 2 Cape Fear Academy 7, John Paul II 0

In her final regular-season home game, senior forward Milly Kelley scored four goals and added an assist in the victory that clinched a fourth consecutive conference title. 

All four of Kelley’s goals came in the first 24 minutes. Priya Belle (26th), Cate Swain (37th), and Millie Heaney (48th) also scored. 

Claire Furmidge dished out a pair of assists. Belle, Maeve Heaney, and Harper Wilharm all finished with one. 

CFA (16-0-1, 7-0 CPIC) goalkeeper Naomi Shanewise made three saves to secure the clean sheet. 

The Hurricanes play at Coastal on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

No. 7 Coastal Christian 5, Wayne Christian 1

Miranda Short recorded a hat trick and handed out an assist for the victorious Centurions. 

Pasey Hodges and Morgan Murray also found the back of the net, while Piper Campomanes had one assist. 

Coastal Christian (8-5-2, 5-2 CPIC) goalkeeper Evie Munroe finished with four saves. 

The Centruions welcome Cape Fear Academy for a 4:30 p.m. match on Thursday.

No. 12 Wilmington Christian Academy 2, Hilltop Christian 1 (2 OT)

The Patriots concluded the regular season with a hard-fought road win thanks to a pair of goals from Lauren Steinhauer. 

Kayli Altobello-Clark and Sara Comney had the assists. 

Eighth grader Laeghan Fuerst was excellent in goal, finishing with 14 saves. 

WCA (8-5-1, 4-0 NCCSA 2A District 4) opens the playoffs at home on Friday at 4:30 p.m.

No. 4 Ashley 9, No. 8 North Brunswick 2

Riley McNulty found the back of the net four times, and the Screaming Eagles rolled. 

Ashley’s (12-3-2, 6-4 Carolina Coast) other goals came from Teagan Anderson, Sarah Brannin, Anna Corbett, and Kiley Hanyok.

There was also an own goal. 

The Screaming Eagles visit New Hanover at 6 p.m. Thursday. North Brunswick (9-10-1, 3-7) hosts South Brunswick on Friday night at 6.

No. 9 New Hanover 1, No. 10 West Brunswick 0

Junior Finley Nicholson scored the lone goal of the match in the second half.

New Hanover (5-11, 2-7 Carolina Coast) goalkeeper Josi Neal earned the clean sheet by saving all three shots she faced. 

The Wildcats host Ashley on Thursday at 6 p.m. West Brunswick (5-10-2, 1-9) welcomes Topsail at 5 p.m. Friday.

No. 5 Laney 1, Croatan 1

The Buccaneers got seven saves from goalkeeper Caeli Sullivan in a road draw. 

Jasmine Hicks scored off an assist from Presley Ormsby in the 52nd minute to put Laney (7-6-1) on top 1-0. 

Croatan found the equalizer eight minutes later. 

Next up is a home match against Hoggard at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. 

No. 6 South Brunswick 6, West Bladen 0

Meryn Deutsch scored twice and dished out a pair of assists in the victory that clinched the Southeastern Conference title.

South Brunswick’s (13-3-1, 7-0) last conference championship came back in 2011. 

Mia Hughes added two goals, while fellow senior Gabrielle Mccullough finished with one goal and one assist. 

Hailey Adkisson and Hann Lovell each scored once. Julia Bloch, Sophia Manipole, and Camryn Yow dished out one assist apiece. 

Skylar Mercer preserved the shutout by saving the lone shot she faced. 

The teams will meet again at West Bladen on Thursday at 6 p.m.

BOYS TENNIS

Cape Fear Academy 9, John Paul II 0

Owen Watkins secured a 6-2, 5-7, 10-7 victory at No. 1 singles to complete the sweep. 

CFA (12-2, 4-0 CPIC) got straight-set wins from Jaxon Rogers (6-0, 6-1 at No. 2), Caden Mathew (6-4, 6-2 at No. 3), Jace Williams (6-0, 6-0 at No. 4), Brian Huang (6-0, 6-0 at No. 5), and Cormac Carney (6-2, 6-0 at No. 6).

The No. 2 doubles team of Williams and Huang didn’t drop a game. Watkins/Rogers (8-4 at No. 1) and Mathew/Carney (8-2 at No. 3) also prevailed. 

The Hurricanes host Wayne Country Day on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

BOYS GOLF

Harrells Christian Academy 321, Durham Flight Homeschool 334, Southeastern Homeschool 353, Coastal Christian 374, North Brunswick 382, Liberty Christian Academy 384

at Landfall (Par 72)

Coastal Christian’s Chet Kight led all area players with a 6-over-par 78 to finish in a tie for second place.

Harrells Christian Academy senior Grayson Gatton secured medalist honors with a round of 72. 

Southeastern Homeschool placed third as a team by counting scores from Allen Rippy (80), Landon Burch (89), Henry Tripps III (90), and Ian McKibben (94).

Nicholas Caracciolo of North Brunswick carded an 89. 

 

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