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Top-seeded D.H. Conley had few answers when facing East Forsyth senior ace Kierston Deal, Friday, in the opening game of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Class 4A softball state championship series.

The Oklahoma bound Deal mowed down 16 Conley batters via the strike out, walked no one and allowed just four hits in moving the fourth-seeded Eagles within one victory of a state title. They were the state runner-ups last year.

With Deal in full command, East Forsyth scratched three runs, only one of which was earned, against Conley’s Emma Adams, to get the win.

The first run came across in the second when Sophie Lecnar reached on an infield error, moved to third on a single by Madison Jones and then scored when Alex Brown grounded into a double play.

In the second Kaitlyn King reached with a leadoff walk, stole second and went to way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Gracie Flynn. King then scored on another bunt by Madison McCarty.

Conley’s best opportunity to score came in the bottom of third after Trinity Nichols led off with a triple to right. Deal struck out the next batter and Nichols was held up at third on a groundout to first. Deal then struck out the next batter as well to end the threat.

East Forsyth added its final run in the top of the seventh. Lindsay Clinard, who led off with a single and moved over to third on a King bunt and a fielder’s choice off the bat of Flynn, scored when McCarty reached base on an error.

Deal then struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh to close out the victory. She also went 2-for-2 at the plate and walked twice.