DUDLEY — Alex Ferrell swatted a home run, while Drew Sweet and Tyler Odom combined for nine strikeouts during Southern Wayne’s season-opening, 11-5 triumph over East Duplin on Tuesday afternoon.
Ferrell concluded the day 2-for-3 with two walks. The senior boosted his career home run total to nine and career RBI count to 38.
Sweet (1-0) yielded four runs (one earned) on four hits, issued one free pass and sat down five Panthers on strikeouts. Odom tossed two innings of two-hit, four-strikeout relief.
The Panthers built a 3-0 lead during their first at-bat.
Southern Wayne answered with six consecutive runs — three each in the bottom of the first and second innings. The Saints extended their two-run advantage with a five-run outburst in the sixth.
Carson Daly (RBI) contributed two hits for Southern Wayne, which claimed its fifth consecutive victory over East Duplin. Odom, Sweet, Braeden McKee and Kaeden Hinson (RBI) provided one hit apiece.
Senior E’lla Boykin stole two bases. Odom, Ferrell and James Graham swiped one base apiece.
The Saints benefited from nine walks.
Southern Wayne (1-0 overall) improved to 12-4 in season-opening games since 2008 and returns home today against county rival Rosewood. First pitch is 5 p.m. at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex.
Saints boot Cougars
GOLDSBORO — Southern Wayne opened its 2024 girls’ soccer season Tuesday with a 6-1, non-conference romp over county rival Goldsboro.
Details were not available.
The Saints (1-0-0 overall) return home Thursday to face Rosewood. Game time is 6 p.m.
McKee leads Saints
WILSON – Tyler McKee carded an 18-hole round of 80 during Southern Wayne’s season-opening, Quad County 3A golf match held Tuesday afternoon at Willow Springs Country Club.
Joseph Strange fired an 86, while Hunter Merritt turned in a 94. Chris Worth and Anthony Culbreth each posted a 104. Zyon Alston shot 105.
The Saints finished fifth overall with a 364 team score.
Fike’s Ethan Boyette earned medalist honors with a 74.
Knights knock off SC
RED OAK — Northern Nash pushed across seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday evening and handed Spring Creek a 13-8 loss on the softball diamond.
Jasmine Valentine pounded out a team-leading three hits and collected two RBI. Emily Williams, Heather Alexander (two RBI) and Sarah Kirby (two RBI) provided two hits apiece.
Emalia West (RBI), Kylie Conpropst and Vanessa Duruttya (RBI) each contributed one hit. Conpropst had two stolen bases, while Williams and Hess each stole three bases.
Valentine had one stolen base.
Hess endured the mound loss. The junior notched three strikeouts, walked one and gave up 10 runs (three earned) on just one hit in 1 1/3 innings.
Williams started inside the circle and struck out five in 4-plus innings of work. The Knights scratched for three runs (two earned) on seven hits against the right-hander who has signed with Pitt Community College.
Spring Creek (0-1 overall) returns home Thursday for a non-conference outing against North Lenoir. Game time is 5 p.m. in “The Swamp.”
Gators drop opener
CLAYTON — Spring Creek launched its 2024 baseball campaign Tuesday afternoon with a 27-2, non-conference loss against American Leadership Academy.
Jayson Hill earned the mound loss for the Gators.
Spring Creek (0-1 overall) is the guest of Hobbton on March 5.
Panthers defeat Saints
DUDLEY — Perennial East Central 2A softball powerhouse East Duplin cranked out 15 hits Tuesday afternoon and cruised to a 14-0, six-inning victory over Southern Wayne.
Regan Stribble, Laura Summerlin and Emma Kornegay provided one hit apiece for the Saints. Stribble recorded one stolen base, while Kornegay and Mylee Wiggs each drew a walk.
Stribble endured the mound loss. The right-hander walked two, logged one strikeout and permitted 14 runs (13 earned) on 15 hits.
East Duplin led 3-0 after four innings, but tallied a combined 11 runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Southern Wayne (0-1 overall) returns home Thursday for a non-conference battle against county rival Rosewood. Game time is 6 p.m.
