EDENTON — Edenton had a tougher-than-expected test in the second round of the 2A state softball playoffs.

The Lady Aces were up to the task, scoring three times in their final at-bat to advance with a 3-0 win over Richlands on Thursday.

Will Harris/The Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

Edenton's Kelli Patrick pitches during the Lady Aces' 3-0 victory against Richlands during a 2A state playoff game Thursday.

Locked in a pitchers' duel, it appeared that the game could last well into the night. Heading into the sixth inning, Richlands had put just one runner on base against Edenton starter Kelli Patrick the entire game. Edenton was just as stymied by the Lady Wildcats' pitcher Mikayla Jarmon with two base runners at that point.

"(Jarmon) had a rise in her fastball and we were under everything," Edenton coach Joseph Johnson said. "We were horrible at the plate. That is something we will work on tomorrow at (practice). She did a good job at keeping us off balance."

In their half of the sixth, Richlands went down 1-2-3, but Edenton mounted a charge in the bottom half of the inning.

Samantha Brickhouse led off the inning with a bunt single. Lauren Jones reached on an error, which allowed Brickhouse to scamper around to third. Amy Bridgeman followed with a two-run single, but was gunned down trying to reach third. Patrick added an insurance run with a solo homer.

Pitching and defense kept the Lady Aces in the game, and they got them out of a jam in the seventh inning.

Courtnie Whaley started off with a single up the middle, then advanced to second on a passed ball. Patrick struck out the next batter, setting up a wild finish.

Alysia Hudson hit a slow roller to Brittani Rountree at shortstop. Whaley was slow moving on to third, but beat the throw. Meanwhile, Hudson rounded first, but was gunned down at second. Whaley got up and tried to sneak home and was thrown out by several steps to end the game.

"Defense was very solid tonight," Johnson said. "Kelli Patrick was awesome, switching speeds and everything. She kept us in the game."

Jarmon was good enough to win, going the distance, allowing four hits and two earned runs. She walked one and struck out five, all in the first three innings. Patrick, though, matched her pitch for pitch and was nearly unhittable. She tossed a three-hitter, striking out 10 and walking none.

Edenton will face either South Lenoir or South Brunswick in the district final.