Noa Quintanilla collected a hit during North Duplin’s 14-4, non-conference loss to county rival East Duplin on Monday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — East Duplin built a comfortable lead during the first three innings and handed county baseball rival North Duplin a 14-4, mercy-rule defeat Monday evening.
Austin Duff, the reigning Hwy 55 Athlete of the Week, paced the Rebels’ offense with two hits and an RBI. The junior has hit safely in five of six outings this season.
Tanner Kornegay, Garris Warren (RBI), Noa Quintanilla (RBI) and Marcellious Foust cranked out one hit apiece. Kornegay collected his second stolen base of the season.
Kornegay endured the mound loss. He permitted eight runs (three earned) on five hits, issued two walks and retired two Panthers on strikeouts in two innings on the bump.
The bullpen trio of Wesley Holmes, Hayden Miller and Ben Kelly combined for three innings of one-hit, one-strikeout relief. East Duplin profited from nine walks and six Rebel defensive miscues.
Sophomore Sawyer Marshburn crushed a home run during his 3-for-3, five-RBI outing. Freshman Gavin Holmes batted 2-for-3, while senior Eli Thigpen singled and plated three runs.
East Duplin logged eight stolen bases.
The Panthers’ duo of Kyle Kern and Kolby Hinson combined for the six-hitter. Kern struck out three Rebels, while Hinson posted one strikeout in the scorebook.
All four Rebel runs were unearned.
North Duplin (3-3 overall) opens defense of its Carolina 1A crown today at Neuse Charter, while East Duplin (5-4) entertains Kinston on the East Central 2A scene. The Panthers have prevailed in four of their last five games after a 1-3 start.
