The 2011 Northwestern 3A/4A Conference tournament field has been finalized.

The tournament pairings came into full view Thursday night on the final night of the regular season. The Pioneers belted St. Stephens 8-4 in a must-win game on Senior Night. Josh Roberts backboned WHS with  his second grand slam home run of the season and five runs-batted-in. The Pioneers also earned the No.3 seed in the field, thanks to South Caldwell, which defeated Hickory 11-3.
The Red Tornadoes, who swept WHS in their two regular-season meetings, are the No.4 seed. Hickory entertains Fred T. Foard in the first round. Alexander Central nailed down the No.2 seed as the Cougars blasted Hibriten 14-5 down in Taylorsville. The Cougars (7-5 in league play), despite finishing in a two-way tie for second place with the Pioneers, win the tie breaker for the No.2 seed because they split their season series with Hickory. South Caldwell, which won its first regular-season title since 2008, will receive a first-round bye. The Spartans (16-2) will play the winner of Hickory and Fred T. Foard in the semifinals.
First round games will be hosted by the higher seeds. The semifinals and finals will be played at M.S. Deal Stadium in Granite Falls. First-round games will be played, Tuesday, May 2. The semifinals and finals will be played Friday and Saturday, May 6-7.

NORTHWESTERN 3A/4A CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT:

#1 SOUTH CALDWELL---BYE

TUESDAY, MAY 2

#7 HIBRITEN @ #2 ALEXANDER CENTRAL
#6 ST. STEPHENS @ #3 WATAUGA
#5 FRED T. FOARD @ #4 HICKORY

FRIDAY, MAY 6

SEMIFINAL ROUND

SATURDAY, MAY 7

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME