Midway’s senior night unfolded exactly how a championship program would script it.
Under the lights and in front of a home crowd that had watched them grow all season, the Raiders closed the regular season with authority Thursday night, sweeping Goldsboro in dominant fashion as both the baseball and softball teams delivered run-rule victories.
The Lady Raiders overwhelmed Goldsboro 17-1 in four innings to cap a remarkable 19-1 season, while the Raiders baseball team followed with a 21-0 shutout, also ending in the fourth inning.
It was a night that blended celebration, reflection, and momentum, as two conference champions honored their seniors while sending a clear message heading into the postseason.
For Midway, it was not just about winning. It was about finishing the right way.
Softball
From the very first swing, it was clear the moment belonged to Peyton Herring.
Midway’s lone senior did not ease into her final regular season home game. Instead, she delivered one of the most electric moments of the night, racing around the bases for an inside-the-park home run in her first at-bat.
It was the kind of moment that felt bigger than the box score.
“She made a statement,” head coach Susan Clark said. “That just shows how vital she is. She’s energetic, she’s passionate, and she’s a big part of the heart of this team. She keeps everybody going.”
That energy carried throughout the lineup as Midway erupted offensively, scoring 17 runs on 19 hits in just four innings. The Lady Raiders applied pressure from the opening inning and never let up, turning senior night into a showcase of the consistency and depth that has defined their season.
Macy Raynor led a balanced attack with three hits and two RBIs, while Maelyn Phillips added two hits and drove in a run. Maggie Phillips and Lauralee Harris each contributed multi-hit performances, and Kyleigh Stonerock powered in three runs as Midway’s lineup continued to produce from top to bottom.
Ella Clark delivered one of the most impactful swings of the night, driving in five runs, including a pair of extra-base hits that helped break the game open early.
By the fourth inning, the result was no longer in doubt. What remained was the emotion of the moment.
“The girls really rallied around Peyton,” Clark said. “They decorated for her, we had sweets after the game, and it was emotional. They love each other, and when you start realizing that moments like this are coming to an end, it hits you.”
Even in the celebration, there was a sense that the story is not finished.
“This isn’t our last game,” Clark said. “That’s what we keep telling ourselves. They definitely have their eyes on bigger things.”
That mindset has been central to Midway’s success all season. Entering the year, expectations were modest. Clark admitted the team was viewed as one that would need time to develop.
“We really thought this would be a building season,” she said. “But the girls put in the work. I had four or five of them start working the week after last season ended. That’s what it takes.”
Instead of rebuilding, Midway quickly established itself as one of the top teams in the area, finishing 19-1 overall and 11-1 in conference play while capturing the conference championship.
Even after a dominant win on senior night, the hunger has not faded.
“They’re not satisfied,” Clark said. “They’re proud of what they’ve done, but they want more. They want to keep playing as long as they can.”
That focus will be tested during a brief break before the postseason. Midway has earned a first-round bye and will return in the second round, giving the team valuable time to recover and prepare.
Clark is already planning ways to keep her team sharp.
“We’ll do intersquad scrimmages, split into teams, and keep everything game-like,” she said. “We’ll make sure our pitchers stay loose and our hitters see live pitching. We’ll do whatever we need to make sure we’re ready.”
If anything, Clark believes the mentality of her team will prevent any drop-off.
“The girls aren’t going to let rust set in,” she said. “That’s just not who they are.”
For Clark, the night also carried a deeply personal meaning.
“I’ve known Peyton her whole life,” she said. “We’ve played ball together since she was young. This is just another chapter for her, but it’s a special one.”
The emotions of senior night were real, but Clark made sure to keep the perspective centered on gratitude.
“I told her to be thankful for what she’s had,” Clark said. “Not to be sad that it’s ending, but to appreciate it. She’s going to go on and do great things, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Herring, who Clark described as “family,” leaves behind more than just statistics. She leaves a standard of leadership and energy that helped shape a championship season.
“They don’t come any better than Peyton,” Clark said.
Baseball
Midway’s baseball team followed with a performance that matched the tone set by the softball program, delivering a dominant 21-0 victory that allowed the Raiders to celebrate senior night on their own terms.
The offense was relentless from the start.
Midway scored in every inning it came to the plate, building a commanding lead early and removing any doubt about the outcome. The Raiders finished with 21 runs on 19 hits, showcasing the depth and consistency that has carried them throughout the season.
Carson Tew led the charge with a perfect 5-for-5 performance, driving in three runs while adding a double and a triple. Tanner Williams continued his strong play with four hits and three RBIs, while Harry Johnson and Jacob Holland each added multi-hit performances and drove in key runs.
Up and down the lineup, Midway’s hitters delivered.
By the middle innings, the focus began to shift from the scoreboard to the moment.
“It was a great way to go out on senior night,” head coach Justin Carroll said. “We didn’t have a lot of pressure, and we were able to play loose. By the second or third inning, we were able to breathe a little bit and just enjoy it.”
That ability to relax came after a strong start, something Carroll emphasized to his team before the game.
“I was worried about us playing down,” Carroll said. “We had a long game the night before, got back late, and you never know how that’s going to affect you. But we talked about getting back to being us and not worrying about who we’re playing.”
Midway responded exactly how its coach hoped.
From the first inning, the Raiders played with focus and energy, setting the tone early and maintaining it throughout.
On the mound, seniors Ethan Martin and Wesley Tew combined to keep Goldsboro off the scoreboard, each recording two strikeouts while working efficiently through four innings.
The performance was especially meaningful for Martin, who Carroll noted has overcome significant adversity.
“Our starting pitcher was a kid who was almost killed in a car accident last year,” Carroll said. “To see him out there on senior night, pitching and enjoying it, that means a lot.”
For Carroll, the night was not just about the result, but about what the senior class has meant to the program.
“They’ve been selfless,” he said. “They’ve worked as hard as anybody, and they’ve bought into everything we’ve tried to do. They’ve been 100 percent on board, and that’s all you can ask for.”
With the regular season complete, Midway now turns its attention to the postseason, where preparation becomes the focus.
The Raiders will benefit from additional time before their next game, allowing the team to rest and reset.
“It’s going to be really nice to rest the arms,” Carroll said. “We’ll get good practices in, and once we know who we’re playing, we’ll be able to dial in.”
Unlike some teams, Carroll is not concerned about the possibility of rust.
“We’ll simulate everything we need in practice,” he said. “We’ll stay sharp. I’m not worried about that.”
Instead, the focus remains on continuing to build on what has already been established.
For Carroll, that foundation begins with the seniors.
“Just a message of gratitude,” he said. “I hope they know how thankful I am for everything they’ve done for this program.”
Moving Forward
As the final outs were recorded and the celebrations settled, the significance of the night extended beyond the scoreboard.
Senior night marked the closing of one chapter, but for Midway, the story is far from finished.
Both programs enter the postseason as conference champions, backed by strong records, deep lineups, and a belief built through months of preparation and performance.
For the Lady Raiders, that belief has turned a season once expected to be about growth into one defined by dominance.
For the Raiders baseball team, it has been about consistency, resilience, and a commitment to a standard that continues to show.
And for both teams, it has been about the seniors who helped set that tone.
On a night designed to honor them, Midway did more than celebrate its seniors.
It showed exactly why they will be missed, and exactly why the program they leave behind is built to keep going.