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The defending 1A state champions opened the season with two non-conference wins and a sweep in opening conference play.

South, ranked fourth in the 1A Western Region by MaxPreps, opened the season March 9 with back-to-back 6-1 wins over Anson and Piedmont on the road.

Against the Bearcats, Mattie Poulos and Ashelyn Tucker led South with two RBIs each. Alexis Harward had three hits for the Bulls while Tucker, Cassidy Smith and Kassie Swink added two hits each.

Poulos earned the win against Anson, striking out eight allowing one earned run on four hits.

Versus Piedmont, South got two RBIs and a home run each from Swink and Kinsley Tyson. Riley Dennis got the win for the Bulls, allowing one run on two hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts.

Smith had a huge night at the plate for the Bulls in Tuesday’s conference win over Mount Pleasant, 19-3. She had two doubles, two home runs and drove in eight runs. Mary Ryan Hinson added four RBIs and Harward drove in three runs. Poulos struck out six in four innings of work.

South’s three-game win streak ended one night later with a 5-0 shutout at 4A powerhouse Hickory Ridge. Swink had two hits, including a triple, with Jacklyn Almond getting the Bulls’ other hit in the game.

The Bulls wrapped up last week with a 9-1 road win over Mount. Poulos homered twice and had a double, going 3-for-3 and driving in five runs for South. Swink and Hinson each added two hits for the Bulls.

Poulos pitched five innings, fanning five batters before Dennis came in and pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

North Stanly is the conference opponent this week for the Bulls, playing Tuesday at home and at North Friday. In between conference games, South plays Wednesday at 3A Central Davidson (2-4).