LASKER – A walk-off base-hit by Noah Lassiter in the bottom of the seventh inning here helped Northeast Academy to an 8-7 opening round win over Community Christian in the NC Independent Schools Athletic Association 1A baseball playoffs.

Ryan Rowe started and surrendered nine hits through six-plus innings before giving way to Kevin Taylor, who was credited with the win in relief.

Rowe, Lassiter, and Peyton Galloway were all 2-for-3 at the plate.

“We finally hit the ball,” said coach Billy-Boy Bridgers. “One of the best we’ve done all year.”

The Cyclones scored first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning before Northeast came back to tie it in the bottom of the frame.

After a scoreless second inning, Northeast pushed across three runs in the bottom of the third to post a 5-2 lead; but Community Christian came back to knot it at 5-all in the top of the fourth.

Northeast again went in front in the bottom of the sixth inning, 6-5, and looked to have the game wrapped up, but in the top of the seventh the Cyclones were able to chase Rowe and secured the lead when they cashed in a couple of runs to lead it 7-6.

In the bottom of the seventh, with their season on the line, Northeast came through in the clutch.

Galloway led off the inning and was hit by a pitch from CCS reliever Grant Webb. McKinley Jordan then reached with a walk after the Cyclones were called for catcher’s interference. Cole Rose was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Webb was then pulled for reliever Drew Oliver, who hit Austin Bradley to walk in the tying run that made it 7-7. After an out, Lassiter stepped up and delivered the game-winning hit over the centerfielder’s head, which was playing shallow, and the Eagles had forged their way to the next round.

Northeast (8-9) will travel to Fayetteville today (Thursday) where they will face Northwood Temple Academy (9-4) in the second round.