Recapping Game 1's in Thursday's prep baseball semifinals

- Ardrey Kell left-hander Alex Wood was the difference in the 5-2 home victory against Providence in 4A. His calm, and pitch location to escape a bases-loaded, no-outs situation with a 4-2 lead in the sixth gave the Knights a huge advantage.

With both teams’ top pitchers working Tuesday and Wednesday, depth will play a key role in Game 2 (Friday) and a potential Game 3 (Saturday).
Ardrey Kell’s options Friday are Ryan Butler (5-0), Andrew Miller (3-1) or Blake Parsley (3-0, two saves).

Providence, which had an extra day’s rest before the series, might use a combination of Richie Shaffer, Will Helms or Alex Askey. The Panthers must win, so look for everyone to be ready.

- In 3A, Belmont South Point’s Zach Horne pitched an eight-inning no-hitter in a 1-0 victory in the opener against East Rowan, and ended its 22-game winning streak.

Horne (10-3), a senior left-hander, struck out 10 and walked two. Weston Lawing, a sophomore, drove in the run with a single in the bottom of the eighth. Game 2 is Friday at East Rowan.

- In 2A, visiting East Rutherford won 7-2 at Leford, despite having four hits. The Cavaliers took advantage of five errors, and the pitching of left-hander Seth Baldwin, who struck out 11. Outfielder Michael Milam was 2-for-2 and scored three runs for East Rutherford, the defending 2A champion.

- In 1A, Cherryville crushed visiting South Stokes 14-4 in six innings (the 10-run mercy rule is enforced after five innings). The Ironmen pounded 12 hits, including three by Seth Freeman, and home runs by Tyler Buff and Colton Ballard.

-Cliff Mehrtens