NEW LONDON — Through a dozen games this season, the South Stanly softball team has maintained its undefeated record as it eyes a run at the Yadkin Valley Conference title.
The Rowdy Rebel Bulls (12-0, 3-0 YVC) rolled to an 18-2 victory over the North Stanly Comets (3-8, 1-3 YVC) on Tuesday in New London, marking the team’s second-highest scoring output of the season.
Sophomore pitcher Lyric Rucker notched her 100th career strikeout for the Bulls during the win.
The early-season success marks a significant turnaround for South Stanly, while North Stanly has moved in the opposite direction compared to 2025.
South Stanly has nearly matched its win total from last season, when it finished 13-14 overall with a 4-6 YVC record and a fourth-place finish. Meanwhile, North Stanly has already surpassed its loss total from a year ago, when the Comets went 18-7 overall and 7-3 in conference play to finish second in the league.
The two teams met again Thursday in Norwood for a quick rematch.
In the YVC standings, South Stanly sits just behind reigning conference champion Union Academy, which holds a 5-0 record; North Stanly is currently third in the league at 1-3.
Looking ahead, the Bulls are set to host Crest (10-2, 5-1 Big South) on Monday, while the Comets will travel to face Providence Grove (8-6, 3-2 Central Carolina) on Tuesday.
West Stanly 4, Parkwood 0
Now with eight wins in a row, the West Stanly Colts (13-1, 9-0 RRC) defeated the Parkwood Wolfpack (9-5, 6-2 RRC) in a 4-0 home victory on Tuesday.
Coming off a 21-5 record and an 11-1 mark to finish second in the Rocky River Conference last season, the Colts now sit atop the league standings with a 9-0 record against conference opponents. West Stanly is scheduled to challenge East Bladen (5-6, 3-2 Carolina) on Monday.
Gray Stone 7, Wheatmore 6
The Gray Stone Knights (3-7, 0-4 YVC) snapped a six-game losing streak on Monday with a 7-6 win over the Wheatmore Warriors (7-6, 3-3 Central Carolina) in Misenheimer.
Still seeking their first conference win of the season, the Knights finished 5-12 overall last year with a fifth-place 2-8 YVC record. Gray Stone has a break before hosting North Stanly on April 14 and then visiting the Comets for a road rematch three days later.
Union Academy 1, Albemarle 0
On Tuesday, the Albemarle Bulldogs (0-4, 0-1 YVC) lost 1-0 to the Union Academy Cardinals (11-2, 4-0 YVC) in Monroe, making it the third consecutive shutout loss in a row for the Bulldogs dating back to March 24.
Albemarle finished 1-12 last season and has yet to secure a conference win since 2021. Looking ahead, the Bulldogs have an extended rest before traveling to Norwood on April 14 for a doubleheader against South Stanly.