That is, now everything the Mustangs accomplish for the remainder of the 2007 campaign will be precedent setting.

Friday’s 9-1 win over Person County in the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs’ first round marked the school’s first ever state tournament victory.

“It’s pretty nice,” Middle Creek coach Jeremy Thompson said. “I’m pretty proud of the kids and their effort.”

A six-run sixth inning — after Rockets starting pitcher Elliott Tolley had been removed — proved to be the separating frame.

Nine Mustangs went to the plate, beginning with No. 9 hitter Alan Spears. Back-to-back singles by Spears and Landon Adams preceded a walk to Jared Bornman. Teammates Quincy Lattimore (double) and Jason Bombardier (single) followed by driving in two runs apiece.

Adams, Lattimore and Bombardier pounded out two hits each among the Mustangs’ nine.

“After seeing people like Vance Williams,” Thompson said, “...we feel pretty good about facing some harder throwing guys.

“(Adams) and (Bornman) did the same thing they’ve done all year long — get on base.”

Middle Creek (21-4) got six strong innings from pitcher Tyler Wood, who struck out eight and did not walk a batter.

Through last week, Wood and fellow hurler Mike Frongello had combined for a 4.5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (104 K, 23 BB) through 106 innings this season.

Tolley drove in the lone run for Person (12-12) in the sixth and collected two of the Rockets’ six hits.

Middle Creek hosted a second round game against Chapel Hill Tuesday at 7 p.m. Results were not available at press time.

Apex 6, Cape Fear 4

The Apex baseball team earned a 6-4 win at Fayetteville Cape Fear in the first round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs on Friday. The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning, when the Cougars (13-10) scored all six of their runs.

Chris Diaz hit a two-run single, Michael Knox belted a three-run home run and Corey Thompson had an RBI single.

“We had a couple other opportunities to score in the game and didn’t,” said Apex coach Del Phillips. “I thought it was going to come back to haunt us.”

Logan Oaks picked up the win with five innings of work, and Houston Hawley got the save after pitching the final two innings. The Cougars’ second-round match was scheduled for Tuesday at New Bern. Results were not available at press time.