FAISON — North Duplin’s 12-Under All-Star baseball team gathered outside its dugout. Players removed their caps and listened as head coach Michael Warren delivered a passionate pre-game reminder: win and you stay alive.
“I was a little disappointed with the Burgaw game,” Warren said. “I told them I wanted to see some grit and fight out of them if they wanted to go to the state tournament.”
North Duplin gallantly battled on every pitch during last weekend’s tourney. However, West Duplin capitalized on timely hitting and a couple of defensive bobbles to advance in consolation-round play of the 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball 12U Majors District 7 tournament held at Casteen Park.
Though the season-ending 14-4 loss stung, Warren couldn’t have been more happier.
“That was one of the best-hitting games we’ve had all season as far as the kids putting the bat on the ball,” Warren said. “Some of them may not have gotten a hit, but most of them hadn’t made solid contact with the ball all season.”
Six of nine Rebels reached base at least once.
Chandler Arnette recorded ND’s lone hit.
Bryce Foster, Porter Best and Jason Holmes each drew a walk. Foster, Best, shortstop Wyatt Warren and third baseman Levi Scott tallied one run apiece.
ND had just one strikeout in 19 plate appearances as a team.
Sweat-stained, somber faces greeted coach Warren in the post-game huddle.
“I told them I was proud of them,” Warren said. “I thought from day one of practice at the beginning of the season from the first day in April toward the end of May, they had improved ten-fold. I encouraged my younger guys to hold their heads up and hopefully I will see them next year.”
Warren said five players have aged out of DYA for 2024. He presented a trophy to each one and thanked them for their dedication to the program.
East Duplin claimed the District 7 crown and continues play later this week in the NCDYA Division I state tournament in Pembroke. West Duplin, by virtue of its head-to-head triumph over North, secured the berth for the NCDYA Division II state tournament in historic Town Creek.
District runner-up Burgaw, which defeated North Duplin on opening day, received the team sportsmanship award.
“I thought there were some very competitive games,” Warren said. “It was fun to watch…good pitching, good hitting. You could tell there was a difference between a D1 and D2 team. We’re all there to support the players and DYA.”
North Duplin is sending two teams to the state tournament.
The 8U squad heads to Bessemer City, while the 10U team will travel to Lumberton. Each 10-team, double-elimination event begins Friday.
“It’s very exciting for the families, players and everyone involved in our community because we know we’re small,” Warren said. “It’s great that we’re able to go out there and show that we can compete at a high level.”
2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball
12-Under District 7 Tournament
(at Canteen Park, Faison)
Day 1
Burgaw 15, North Duplin 0
Sampson County 15, West Duplin 0
Day 2
East Duplin 20, Wallace 7
West Duplin 14, North Duplin 4 (N. Duplin eliminated)
Burgaw 11, Sampson County 1
Day 3
West Duplin 6, Wallace 3 (Wallace eliminated)
East Duplin 7, Burgaw 0
Day 4
Burgaw d. Sampson County (Sampson County eliminated)
East Duplin d. West Duplin (W. Duplin eliminated)
Day 5
Championship
East Duplin d. Burgaw (Burgaw eliminated)