ROCKINGHAM — Three youth softball teams and one baseball squad from Rockingham will begin their journey toward state championships today.
The Rockingham Darlings, Angels and Ponytails all-star teams will travel north on U.S. Highway 220 to Troy for the state tournament at Peabody Community Park.
The Ponytails will get things started for the trio at 11 a.m. with a contest against West Chatham. Rockingham captured the District 4 championship by no-hitting West Stanly in a 7-0 win last week in Locust.
The Darlings are scheduled to hit the diamond at 3 p.m. against Bethany. Rockingham advanced to the state tournament by finishing second in the district behind North Stanly. Rockingham forced a decisive game in the district tournament by defeating North Stanly 11-9 in the first game. North Stanly recovered to beat Rockingham 11-5.
The Angels will be the last Rockingham team to play today. The Angels are set to face Reidsville at 5 p.m. Rockingham rallied from a five-run deficit against Anson to pull out a 13-12 victory to capture the District 4 crown. Anson also advanced to the state tournament and will face Hope Mills.
Out to the east, the Rockingham Dixie Boys all-star team automatically advanced to the state tournament at Smithfield District Park in Southport.
Rockingham and Kings Mountian will open tournament play at 2 p.m. Hope Mills and Lillington will also square off at the same time.
Reach managing editor Shawn Stinson at 910-817-2671 and follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.