Area softball notes ...

Salisbury (1-2) has gotten a big lift from freshman catcher Katy Stredonsky (.400) and veteran outfielders Ticora Jones (.625) and Alisha Woods (.429, 4 runs).

“The cold weather hampered a stronger start because we were unable to practice as much as we would have liked,” said Hornets coach Bob Beiter, who is being assisted by former Catawba star Elizabeth Howard.

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West Rowan sophomore Lyndsey Gay pitched quite a bit as a freshman on her way to all-county honors, but will probably be a full-time shortstop this season.

Coach Vanessa Noe has two quality pitchers in senior Alicia Wilson and freshman Devon Williams, but doesn’t have another shortstop besides Gay now that Hillary Hampton, who swung between short and second base last season, has taken over at catcher.

“We’ll do what we have to do with Lyndsey as far as pitching,” said Noe. “But we need her at shortstop. She’s one of the best around.”

The Falcons are 3-0, including county wins over South and North.

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South Rowan’s 4A Central Piedmont Conference is always a solid softball league with Davie County and West Forsyth, but realignment appears to have elevated the CPC to one of the state’s toughest groups.

The CPC’s two new teams, North Davidson and South Iredell, are crushing people.

South played a thriller last Tuesday in a 1-0 loss to Mooresville. South held the Blue Devils to two hits and didn’t make an error, yet lost.

South stands 1-2. It’s win came over East Rowan. The Raiders host a rematch with West tomorrow.

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East Rowan faces the unenviable task of visiting an angry Central Cabarrus team today.

Central, which won two 3A championships before moving up to 4A this year, lost 1-0 to Northwest Cabarrus last week. Central pitcher Crystal Cox tossed her standard no-hitter, but two errors beat her.

Northwest has a new coach (Tamara Johnson) and a tough new pitcher in freshman Natalie Carrigan.

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Ledford boasts a brand new softball facility. ... Lexington, which hasn’t fielded a team in recent years, has revived its program in the 2A Central Carolina ... North Davidson’s legendary coach Mike Lambros is closing in on career victory No. 450.

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Report softball results and information to Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com .