Good morning, Hickory.

Two sports tournaments, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, are set next week with the softball classic at Stanford Park (Highland Recreation Center) on April 7 to 8 and the baseball classic at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds from April 6 to 8.

Admission is $7 for ages 7 and older.

The Hickory Crawdads opened the season with a 5-4 come-from-behind win against the Columbia Fireflies on Thursday, Apr.

3 at LP Frans Stadium. Evan Siary struck out eight in four innings and Angel Arredondo’s hit clinched the win.

On April 3, the CVCC baseball team won a 10–8 game over Cleveland Community College with key hits from Lucas Dawson and Sylas Mills.

The team will travel to Shelby on Wednesday at 3 p.m. for its next game.

Local high school softball games on Apr.

2 featured competitive matchups in several conferences. In Western Piedmont, Draughn won 10-2 over Hibriten while Hickory scored 8 as other teams posted varied results in Western Foothills and Northwestern leagues.

Lenoir-Rhyne is ranked 14th in the Winter Learfield Directors Cup Standings (28-spot jump from fall) after earning 213 winter points from basketball and track events; they trail just three points behind competitors with final standings set to be released on June 9.

CVCC softball made history on April 3 when Gionna Merhtens signed with Norfolk State University as its first Division I transfer.

The shortstop and second baseman finished with a .417 average in 33 games and will join a team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for her academic & athletic career.

Live Again Tribute Fest

5-9 p.m. — The Premier — Ticketed event — Enjoy a night of powerful tribute performances from iconic rock bands.