McMichael forces a Game 3 in North Carolina's Class 3A softball state championship series

The McMichael [Mayodan] Phoenix stymied a late rally by the West Wilkes [Millers Creek] Blackhawks to claim a 6-5 win Saturday win.

The win forced a game three in North Carolina's NCHSAA Class 3A softball state championship series. The two teams will play later this evening.

West Wilkes led 1-0 in the first inning before McMichael responded with a four-ran burst of their own. The Phoenix then stretched their lead to 6-1 after the third inning, and it stood there until the fifth inning when the Blackhawks added two runs of their own to trim the margin to 6-3.

The Blackhawks then loaded the bases up with one out in the seventh, eventually pushing two runs across for the final margin before McMichael recorded the final out.

HOW TO WATCH: McMichael vs. West Wilkes on the NFHS Network

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Refresh for updates

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FINAL — McMichael 6, West Wilkes 5

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SEVENTH INNING — McMichael 6, West Wilkes 5

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And McMichael gets the third out to hang onto the win and force a third-and-deciding game in this series.

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The pitcher mishandles a comebacker in the cicle, and now it's 6-5 with runners on the corners and two out. If West Wilkes can't get the run home from third, this game will continue.

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Two outs, but a run comes home. It's 6-4.

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Suddenly with one out, the bases are loaded, and West Wilkes has the winning run and series clincher at the plate.

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SIXTH INNING — McMichael 6, West Wilkes 3

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McMichael comes up empty, but they're three outs away from forcing a third-and-deciding game in this series.

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West Wilkes isn't able to chip into this any further, and they'll have to climb out of the rest of this hole in the seventh.

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FIFTH INNING — McMichael 6, West Wilkes 3

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McMichael unable to respond. They go to the sixth inning.

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West Wilkes finally showing some life at the plate, and they pick up two huge runs to stay within striking distance.

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FOURTH INNING — McMichael 6, West Wilkes 1

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McMichael unable to add to their tally, and they head to the fifth inning.

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West Wilkes really struggling to get anything against this McMichael pitching staff.

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THIRD INNING — McMichael 6, West Wilkes 1

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McMichael bangs in two more runs to go up 6-1 headed to the fourth.

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West Wilkes is unable to generate any offense, and now McMichael is coming back up.

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SECOND INNING — McMichael 4, West Wilkes 1

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And nothing for McMichael either. They head to the third.

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Nothing for West Wilkes, and McMichael is coming back up.

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FIRST INNING — McMichael 4, West Wilkes 1

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McMichael with a two-run blast to clear the bases and make it, 4-1.

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McMichael surges into the lead, 2-1. They're still batting.

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West Wilkes scores a run to take a 1-0 lead with McMichael coming up next.

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They're under way!

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Coming soon!

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How can I watch McMichael vs. West Wilkes?

• Date: 2 p.m. EST local, Saturday, May 30
• WATCH: McMichael vs. West Wilkes on the NFHS Network

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