Alexander Central (30-1), ranked as high as fourth in the nation in some polls, took advantage of a infield hit and a two-run double by Kaylea Payne in the ninth to move into today’s championship round.

Holly Springs (23-2), which beat Clayton 1-0 in its opener on Friday night, will meet defending state champion North Davidson (28-2) at 11 a.m. this morning back at Walnut Creek for the right to meet Alexander Central, the six-time state champion, at 1:30. The Golden Hawks would have to win three games today in order to take the state title, since Alexander Central has not lot so far in the final four.

“We know it will be tough but we can do it,” said Golden Hawks junior pitcher Erica Nunn. “It was a great battle between two good teams.”

Taylor Wike drew a one-out walk to start the Cougars’ ninth inning, then pinch runner Amanda Sports moved to third on a single by Lauren Elder.

After Nunn’s 13th and final strikeout of the game, Holly Springs third baseman Kelly Barnes got a glove on the ball down the line hit by Stephanie Krider but collided with Elder who was running down the line and the ball slipped out of her glove as Sports made her way safely home for the game’s first run.

Kaylea Payne followed with a two-run double to up the lead to 3-0. It’s the first time the Hawks and Nunn have given up more than two runs in a game.

Alexander Central’s Chelsea Wilkinson, a finalist for national player of the year honors and an N.C. State recruit, struck out 19 Golden Hawks on the night.

“It was an amazing game,” said Holly Springs coach Jill Munchick. “Erica showed her (Wilkinson) that she’s tit for tat.

“We had girls come through at times. Kayla had a big hit that would have been a triple without the opening in the fence. We had opportunities against a great team.”

Minyard opened the Holly Springs’ fifth with a ground rule double down the left field line, which rolled between the side fence and the open end of the temporary fence. But Wilkinson came back with three consecutive strikeouts to end the threat.

The Golden Hawks had runners on base four of the last six innings played.

“This isn’t over yet,” Munchick said. “We came in not knowing what to expect but we were right there with a team that’s top-five in the nation.”

Holly Springs catcher Cianna Burt threw three Alexander Central runners out at second base on the night. The last of those saw Cougars coach Monte Sherrill disqualified for arguing the call.

Holly Springs took advantage of an early walk to produce the game’s only run against Clayton. Leadoff batter Jenna Firestein drew the free pass in the bottom of the first.

Firestein was aggressive running the bases on Kristen Krebs’ ensuing sacrifice bunt.

Firestein went from first to third on the play, giving Nunn a chance to bring the game’s first home with a bunt.

Nunn got her bunt down, but the throw from first baseman Katelynn Sellers to third base attempting to run Firestein back to the bag sailed high, allowing Firestein to come in with what would end up as the game’s only run.

North Davidson eliminated Clayton 3-2 in extra innings, advanced to today’s losers bracket final against Holly Springs.

Kayla Harrell singled in the Black Knights’ ninth and scored on a Clayton throwing error to end the Comets’ run.

Clayton (16-11) got RBI hits from Nicole Bond and Laura Shively in the loss.

Correspondent Dave Malenick contributed to this story.