The Wilson Christian varsity baseball team defeated Vandalia Christian 8-4 Friday night to earn a spot in today's N.C. Christian School Association 3-A title game against Wake Christian.
The Chargers downed the No. 1 seed from the West Region behind a complete-game, 14-strikeout performance from senior right-handed pitcher Jeremy Efird.
"He pitched awesome," WCA head coach Ty Bissett said of Efird in just his third start of the season.
Efird allowed two walks and a pair of extra-base hits in the seventh to give up two Vandalia runs, but when Bissett went to talk with him he wanted to finish what he started.
"He wanted to stay in and win and I said: 'We're gonna ride your train diesel.'"
Efird struck out the final batter with two baserunners aboard.
Cody Finch belted a bases-clearing double in the third inning to give Wilson Christian a 6-0 lead.
WCA (12-6), the No. 2 seed from the East Region, will make its first state final appearance in 22 years when they battle Wake today at noon. The Chargers have never won a championship.
"We'll just try to put the pieces together tomorrow and see what happens," Bissett said.
Score by innings:
Wilson Christian 204 000 2 -- 8
Vandalia 000 100 3 -- 4
WP-Jeremy Efird (2-3) 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 14 SO. LP- John Grant.
LEADING HITTERS -- WCA: Jeremy Efird 1-2 RBI, 3B. Tyler Stallings 1-2, Zach Bissett 1-3, Clint Hendrix 1-2 2 RBI; Cody Finch 3-4 2 2B, 3 RBI, Garrett Strickland 1-3