RALEIGH - The Holly Springs softball team experienced something unpleasant Saturday afternoon at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex.

But that very experience may ultimately prove to be beneficial for the Golden Hawks in the long term.

Holly Springs surrendered four runs to defending N.C. High School Scholastic Association 4-A champion North Davidson, the most they have given up all season, and couldn't break a Knights shutout, losing 4-0 in the state semifinals.

Despite the defeat, the Golden Hawks finished the season 23-3, reaching the state championships for the first time in the school's five-year history. On Friday, their 1-0 win against Clayton gave them the Eastern Regional 4-A title, and then in the nightcap they held the eighth-ranked team in the nation, Alexander Central, scoreless for eight innings before falling 3-0.

Alexander Central went on to win the 4-A crown, beating North Davidson.

Holly Springs will return 12 players next year, including ace pitcher Erica Nunn and top hitters Cianna Burt and Jenna Firestein. Firestein and Burt, along with shortstop Kristen Krebs, played a major role in the Golden Hawks' come-from-behind 4-2 win against Wake Forest-Rolesville in the third round.

"I'm so honored to coach some amazing ladies that have developed a lot of character this year," said Holly Springs coach Jill Munchick, who led the Hawks on winning streaks of 13 and 10 games this season. "We had a good weekend, and we compared very well with the best of the west. This experience is going to help tremendously with confidence and be a strong building block for us."

Nunn was perfect through three innings against the Knights, striking out eight of the first nine she faced.

Things changed dramatically for the Golden Hawks during the fourth inning, as North Davidson hitters put the ball in play and benefited from some fortunate bounces.

Jessica Plemmons walked with one out, and then advanced to third on a bloop single by Robyn Stanek. Lauren Grooms hit another blooper to right field, which took a strange hop and slipped past the outfielders, scoring Plemmons and putting runners on second and third.

Nunn struck out Haley Pace and it appeared the Hawks might get out of the jam, as they had at other key points during their playoff run.

It wasn't to be this time, as Paige Wall hit a grounder that resulted in an error, scoring Stanek for a 2-0 Knights lead. Kayla Harrell then singled to left, driving in two more Knights and putting Holly Springs in the largest hole they had faced all season.

"It was that one inning, just like last night," said Nunn, who still threw six of her 15 strikeouts after the fourth. "They got those dink hits, and you can't do anything about those."

Nunn pitched 23 innings within a 20-hour period this weekend, but the junior southpaw never complained.

Nunn finished the season with a total of 361 strikeouts, and earned high praise from North Davidson coach Mike Lambros.

"Erica is the real deal," Lambros said. "We have a lot of respect for her, she is a go-getter and a heck of a pitcher. That's a first class bunch over there with an outstanding coach."

Knights sophomore Mackenzie Hauser, who also beat Clayton on Friday, earned the win, allowing just three Golden Hawks hits. Nunn slammed two doubles, and Burt singled for Holly Springs. Angela Jessup (courtesy runner) reached third base twice, but the Golden Hawks were unable to advance her home.

It was the final game for Holly Springs seniors Beth Wantz, Kelly Barnes, Jordan Watkins and Taryn Bergeson.

"We'll be that much more experienced (next year)," Nunn said. "We want to get back here and go even further."