North Duplin right-hander Esteban Santos Clark follows through after delivering a pitch during a recent game. Clark claimed the mound win during the Rebels’ road win Tuesday evening at Neuse Charter. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SMITHFIELD — North Duplin launched defense of its Carolina 1A regular-season baseball crown with a 17-2, mercy-rule conquest of Neuse Charter on Tuesday evening.
Tanner Kornegay pounded out a career-high four hits and collected an RBI for the Rebels, who rose to 4-3 overall this season. Austin Duff batted 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Branden Reyna, Hunt Pate (RBI), Wesley Holmes (three RBI), Garris Warren (RBI), Holden Williams (RBI), Parker Anderson (two RBI), Noa Quintanilla (three RBI) and Hayden Miller provided one hit apiece.
Kornegay stole two bases. Holmes, Warren and Kiez Brock each swiped one bag.
Esteban Santos Clark emerged as the winning pitcher. The right-hander yielded two unearned runs on three hits, walked one and posted three strikeouts in a complete-game performance.
North Duplin travels to Lakewood on Thursday.
Merritt paces Saints
SMITHFIELD — Hunter Merritt posted a team-best 87 and helped Southern Wayne finished fifth overall during a Quad County 3A boys’ golf match played Tuesday afternoon at Johnston County Country Club.
Christopher Worth (93), Joseph Strange (94) and Tyler McKee (95) rounded out the Saints’ four-player score of 369. Anthony Culbreth, Bradley Denning and Noah Hardison also competed for Southern Wayne.
Fike’s Ethan Boyette seized medalist honors with a 70. West Johnston’s tandem of Hayden Campbell and Brady Carroll each carded a 72. Colby Stephens of West Johnston ended up fourth at 79.
South Johnston fired a team-low 312 in breezy conditions. West Johnston finished 31 strokes back, followed by Fike (345) and Hunt (360). Charles B. Aycock (378), East Wake (382) and Smithfield-Selma (483) rounded out the eight-team field.
Saints drop QCC road game
BENSON — Unbeaten West Johnston used a six-run, third-inning uprising as the springboard to a 7-3 conquest over Southern Wayne in their Quad County 3A battle Tuesday evening.
The Wildcats led 7-0 after three innings.
Cuyler Daly, James Graham, Drew Sweet, Jake Coates (RBI), E’lla Boykin and Brayden McKee supplied one hit apiece for the Saints. Southern Wayne had 11 strikeouts and left seven runners on base.
McKee stole one base.
Daly paced the Saints’ defense with eight putouts. Tyler and Brayden McKee each had four putouts.
Sweet endured the mound loss. He surrendered seven runs (two earned) on seven hits, issued one walk and retired four Wildcats on strikeouts. Bullpen mate Kaeden Hinson hurled three innings of one-hit, four-strikeout relief.
Southern Wayne couldn’t overcome six defensive errors.
Due to inclement weather forecasted for Friday, the Saints (5-3 overall, 0-2 QCC) and Wildcats (8-0, 2-0) meet Thursday in Dudley. First pitch is approximately 6:30 p.m. at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex.
Hunt edges SW softball
WILSON — Wilson Hunt plated two eight-inning runs and turned back Southern Wayne, 8-6, in their Quad County 3A softball contest Tuesday evening.
Makayla Smith led the Saints’ offense with four hits and an RBI. Mckenzie Strickland turned in a three-hit, three-RBI outing. Laura Summerlin batted 2-for-5 with a double, while Regan Stribble ended the day 2-for-5 with a run scored.
Emma Kornegay and Gracie Hinson (RBI) logged one hit apiece in the scorebook. Mylee Wiggs contributed an RBI.
Southern Wayne had 12 strikeouts, left nine runners on base and committed six errors defensively.
Stribble took the mound loss. The sophomore right-hander permitted eight runs (four earned) on nine hits, walked two and retired three Warriors on strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings inside the circle.
The Saints (0-6 overall, 0-2 QCC) return home Thursday for a non-conference outing against Spring Creek. Game time is 5 p.m.
