The Watuaga High baseball team has enjoyed a much-needed rest after winning its first Northwestern 3A/4A Conference championship in 11 years.

And the Pioneers, the No.2 seed from the NW3A/4A, have been rewarded with a home game in their playoff opener Friday night. WHS (16-7), riding a five-game winning streak, takes on Olympic (9-15), the No.3 seed from the MEGA 7 Conference. Friday's match-up will also be the first meeting between the schools since 1999.
The Pioneers, thanks to a rain storm that halted play and forced the game to continue a day later, wiped out an early 4-0 deficit and defeated Olympic, advancing to the Western finals.
The winner of this game will play the winner of Alexander Central and Lake Norman. Ironically, that game is a rematch between the Cougars and Lake Norman. The teams hooked up in early March. Alexander Central rallied from an early 5-0 deficit, but the Wildcats hung on to win, 7-6.
The Cougars (13-11) are a wildcard entry; Lake Norman (19-7) is the No.1 seed from the I-Meck Conference. South Caldwell, the top seed in the NW3A/4A, has quite a challenge on its hands. The Spartans (21-3) take on Mooresville (19-7), the No.4 seed from the I-Meck Conference.
In Class 3A, Hickory (14-10), the top seed in the NW3A/4A, entertains Patton (9-14); Fred T. Foard (10-13), the No.2 seed among the 3A schools, travels to West Henderson, and St. Stephens (6-15) travels to Lawndale Burns.
All Second-round games will be played, Tuesday, May 17. A starting time for Friday night's game will be announced by the WHS athletic department. Game coverage will be heard on Oldies 100.7 FM Friday evening.