CAMDEN — Sometimes, the opponents you should beat become the hardest to overcome. Camden did not fall into that trap, defeating North Edgecombe 15-1 in five innings in the first round of the 1A state softball playoffs on Tuesday.

The Lady Warriors actually led in the game. Two hits and a walk led to a run and a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. But that was short-lived.

Justin Falls/The Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

Camden's Paige Sprouse (center back) celebrates with Michaela Hankins (left) as Taylor Cannon looks on during the Lady Bruins' 15-1 victory against North Edgecombe in a 1A state playoff game Tuesday in Camden.

Camden (7-9) took advantage of three errors and six walks to score 10 runs, six unearned, in the bottom of the first. Blair Meiggs put an exclamation point on the inning with a two-run home run over the left-field fence.

"We talked about that coming into the game. We said, 'Hey, let's not take this team lightly,'" Camden coach Jeff Beyel said. "I thought we came out and did a great job. We were patient and took the walks."

After sending 13 batters to the plate in the first inning, Camden sent 11 more to bat in the second, adding five runs.

Beyel took it easy after that, getting everyone on the bench who was healthy into the game.

"We had a scouting report on (North Edgecombe) and knew they were going to be a weaker team," Beyel said. "We're not in to scoring 40 runs, that's not us. Once we got the (big) lead, we pulled the horses in. Basically, the job was to get the job done and move on. That's the playoffs."

In the circle, Kristen Cochran was in full control after stumbling in the first inning. Cochran fanned nine, including a stretch where she recorded seven straight outs by strikeout.

Michaela Hankins worked a perfect fifth, striking out two, to close the game.

Jaleese Banks and Erica Plymel scored three runs each and Meiggs and Paige Sprouse had two RBIs apiece for the Lady Bruins. Camden had just seven hits, two in the 10-run first inning, benefitting from 12 walks and five Lady Warrior errors.

Camden will travel to Southside for a second-round matchup on Thursday at 6 p.m.

"It's going to be a good battle down there," Beyel said. "We're just going to have to get good pitching and good defense and maybe get a break here or there and pull one out."

Edenton 12, Clinton 1 (5)

The Lady Aces scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and cruised to an easy five-inning win in the first round of the 2A state softball playoffs in Edenton on Tuesday.

"It felt good because we haven't played well of late — not bad, but not well," Edenton coach Joseph Johnson said. "We came out tonight ready to play."

Edenton pounded out 10 hits, two hits each from Brittani Rountree and Samantha Brickhouse. Rountree added three RBIs and scored three runs.

Kelli Patrick struck out nine to pick up the win.

Edenton (21-3) will host either Richlands or St. Pauls in the second round.

In other 2A playoff games involving area teams, Croatan defeated Pasquotank, 8-2.

Hunt 4, Currituck 1

The Lady Knights could not hold the lead in the final inning, falling in the first round of the 3A state softball playoffs in Barco on Tuesday.

Currituck lead 1-0, but Hunt scored four times in the top of the seventh, the game-winning run scoring on a three-run triple.

See Thursday's Daily Advance for a full game story.

BASEBALL

Camden 7, Louisburg 3

Camden advanced to the third round of the 1A state baseball playoffs with a win over Louisburg in Camden on Tuesday.

Cory Plymel provided an offensive lift with four hits and two RBIs and Zach Leslie added three hits and a pair of RBIs for the Bruins.

Camden will face either Jamesville or Princeton, the team that knocked the Bruins out in the playoffs in the semifinals last season, on Friday.

See Thursday's Daily Advance for a full game story.