Watauga Pioneers (Boone, NC) fans exited the stadium thrilled Friday as they saw their softball squad nip the host Freedom Patriots (Morganton, NC), 11-7 in a league challenge.

The Pioneers now sport a 2-12 record. They take the field next when they host Ashe County for a Northwestern 3A/4A challenge on Monday, April 4. Watauga will face a Huskies squad coming off a 7-1 non-league win over Alleghany (Sparta, NC). The Huskies record now stands at 2-7.

With the loss, Freedom falls to 2-11 on the campaign. The Patriots host Alexander Central (Taylorsville, NC) to face the Cougars in a Northwestern 3A/4A challenge on Monday, April 4. The Cougars enter the challenge with a record of 13-0. Alexander Central won 2-0 in their recent league challenge against Hibriten (Lenoir, NC)