Here’s a look at the week that was in Hoke County sports, including the first two wins of the year for the baseball team.
Softball
The Hoke County girls’ softball team had a 2-1 week to improve to 8-5 on the season, 2-4 in the Sandhills Conference. The Bucs opened the week with an 11-2 win over Jack Britt. Kalea Parker and McKenzie Freeman each drove in three runs in the game.
In the next game, Hoke fell at St. Pauls, 4-3. Parker and Chica Amador each drove in runs in the loss, while Chayna Locklear had two hits.
Hoke finished the week with a 10-9 win over North Brunswick. Parker drove in three runs and Locklear two.
Hoke will finish off the Robeson Slugfest this week then play at Fairmont before taking a week off.
Baseball
The Hoke County baseball team got its first two wins of the season last week. After losing 10 straight to start the year, the Bucks broke into the win column, 2-0 over Jack Britt. Owen Autry went seven shutout innings to earn the win, while Eric (EJ) Carter drove in a run.
Once the ice was broken, it didn’t take long for the second win to arrive. After losing a home-and-home to Southern Lee, 10-0 and 14-0, Hoke beat Fairmont, 8-1. Carter drove in two more runs and Autry went 6.2 innings with 12 strikeouts for the win.
The Bucks closed out a 2-3 week with a 6-3 loss to North Brunswick, but Hoke has now matched or exceeded its win total for each of the last four seasons.
The Bucks enter the week at 2-13 and are still looking for their first Sandhills win at 0-8. Hoke has a game against Heide Trask remaining this week and will be back in conference play next Tuesday.
Girls’ Soccer
In their lone game this past week, the Bucks beat Red Springs,
5-1. Sophomore Jaelyn Gimenez had three goals for Hoke County, while freshman Evalynn Groemm and senior Mimi Mathews each added one. Mathews also had an assist, as did junior Jasira McLean, senior Desi McDonough and senior Sachi Mathews.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak and improved Hoke to 3-6-2, 1-2 in the Sandhills. It also allowed the Bucks to enter a prolonged break on a positive note.
Hoke is in the midst of a 17-day stretch with no games. The Bucks will take the field again on April 11, against Pinecrest.
Also on the schedule
Like most of the other athletic teams at Hoke County, boys’ golf, boys’ tennis and boys’ and girls’ track and field are off for the week as Bucks students enjoy spring break.
