Month: March 2019

Orange catcher Tucker Joseph went 3-for-4 with a double as the Panthers defeated Cedar Ridge 13-3 on Tuesday night at Red Wolves Territory. It was Orange’s first win at Cedar Ridge since 2016. Joseph also had an RBI as the Panthers remained tied for 1st in the Big 8 Conference with Northwood. Joseph fills an important gap behind the plate. Last season, Cooper Porter was the starting Orange catcher for the 2nd half of the season. Now, Porter finds himself as a starting pitcher who is 2-0 on the season. On Thursday night, Joseph walked as Orange defeated Cedar Ridge 13-0 to set up a showdown series with Northwood for 1st place in the Big 8. Orange will host the Chargers on Tuesday, then travel to Northwood on Friday.

On Monday night, the Cedar Ridge women’s soccer team defeated Orange 5-0 at Orange High Soccer Park. Junior midfielder Giselle Solis Morales assisted on three goals in the first half, all of which were scored by striker Emmy Talley. In the 9th minute, Morales snuck a gorgeous through ball to Talley, who blasted it home from 15 yards for the opening goal. Talley notched her 2nd goal with 28:17 remaining in the first half off another assist from Morales. In the 2nd half, Morales assisted on two balls that turned into penalty kicks. Both penalties were attempted by goalkeeper Grace Davies, who scored on her 2nd try. Cedar Ridge improve to 2-3 in the Big 8 Conference with the victory. On Thursday night, Morales helped Cedar Ridge defeat River Mill Academy to improve to 4-5-1 on the season.

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is freshman pitcher Olivia Aitkin. In Cedar Ridge’s 18-15 victory over Cardinal Gibbons on March 5, Aitkin came in at pitcher and earned her first varsity win. She threw five-and-one-third innings, allowing only two earned runs. She entered the game with Cedar Ridge trailing 10-4. The Red Wolves recovered to score ten runs in the final three innings to beat the Crusaders 18-15.In addition, Aitkin went 2-for-3 at the plate, with two doubles and scoring twice. Aitkin has become a steady second option in the pitching circle for head coach Allen Byrd behind starting pitcher Taylor Barnes. After Cedar Ridge defeated Orange 11-1 on Tuesday, they will host Person on Wednesday in Hillsborough. First pitch will be at 6.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is junior lacrosse midfielder Josh Mauer. The Orange lacrosse team defeated Cedar Ridge on Tuesday night for its first Conference 7 victory of the season. The Panthers are now 5-1 on the season. Mauer has been a key presence in the lacrosse circle. In Orange’s season-opening 16-4 win over Rolesville, Mauer won 67% of his faceoffs and also scored a goal and an assist. He was also a key figure in Orange’s 18-16 win at Eastern Alamance on March 12, and in an 11-10 overtime win against Southern Alamance in Graham. In addition, Mauer is the grandson of Ken Mauer, who was the coach of the 1968-69 Orange men’s basketball team which claimed the 3A State Championship. It is still the only basketball team at Orange High to win a state title.

After beating crosstown rival Cedar Ridge on Tuesday night, the Orange baseball team remains undefeated in the Big 8 Conference with a 4-0 record. On March 13, the Panthers defeated East Chapel Hill 5-3. Cooper Hench went 3-for4 against the Wildcats, including an RBI single in the 3rd that put Orange ahead 3-2. Hench had nine assists at 3rd base. As if that wasn’t enough, Hench retired the last six Wildcats in order to earn his first varsity save and ensure senior starter Luke Riley earned the win. Orange returns to action on Thursday night against Cedar Ridge at Panther Field. The Panthers are 6-2 overall, 4-0 in the Big 8 Conference.