The North Duplin 8-Under All-Star team begins play Friday in the 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association state tournament at Bessemer City. Members of the team, front row, from left: Devon Tucker, Aexel Sherrer, Battle Kornegay and Maddux Braswell. Middle row, from left: Jude Lampron, Reece Kelly, Wyeth Williams, Stihl Bradshaw, Axl Goodman, Kolton Bowden and Aiden Knowles. Back row, from left: Jon Kornegay, head coach Danny Lampron, Matt Braswell and Adam Knowles. (Submitted photo)
The North Duplin 10-Under All-Star baseball team will compete in the 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association state tournament in Lumberton. Members of the team, front row,from left: Finnley Wade, Brayden Brock, John Matthew Hoffman, Eli Grady, Johnson Ivey and Gray Herring. Middle row, l to r: Hayden Ivey, Noah Carter, Bryson Hill, Nolan Pate and Elliott Cox. Back row, from left: Billy Carter, head coach Tim Hill and Blake Herring. (Submitted photo)
The North Duplin 12-Under All-Star baseball team saw its season end in the 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association District 7 tournament contested at Casteen Field in Faison. Members of the team, front row, from left: Chandler Arnette, Gabriel Cashwell, Bryce Foster, Jason Holmes and Levi Scott. Middle row, from left: Noah Arnette, Porter Best, Santiago Kimes, Anthony Creech, Anson Knowles and Wyatt Warren. Back row, from left: Dan Best, head coach Michael Warren and Matt Davis. Not pictured: Landon Bennett. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin catcher Porter Best attempts to tag West Duplin’s Isaiah Kornegay (4) out at the plate on a wild pitch. Best dropped the ball, which rolled behind him, and Kornegay was called safe on the play. The two teams competed during second-day action at the NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association District 7 tournament held at Casteen Park in Faison. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin second baseman Jason Holmes keeps one foot on the bag as West Duplin lead-off batter Brantley Pike gets a little running room during first-inning action in the 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association District 7 tournament recently contested in Faison. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin right-hander Noah Arnette warms up against West Duplin on day two of the 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association District 7 tournament in Faison. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Wyatt Warren legs out an infielder ground ball as West Duplin first baseman Bently Henderson smacks his glove as he watches the defense commit an error. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
West Duplin shortstop Javion Peterson fields a high throw as North Duplin’s Levi Scott takes second base on a wild pitch. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
East Duplin celebrates an early-inning, two-run home run by teammate Silas Jarman during play against Wallace in the 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association District 7 tournament contested in Faison. East Duplin eventually took the district championship. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin right-hander Levi Scott throws in relief during middle-inning action against West Duplin on day two of the 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association District 7 tournament held in Faison. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin third baseman Levi Scott fields a low throw as West Duplin’s Aibel James slides in safely on the play. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin catcher Porter Best keeps a watchful eye on West Duplin’s Javion Patterson during second-inning play in their 2023 NC Dixie Youth Baseball Association District 7 contest. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
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)
