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.