North Duplin assistant softball coach Steve Kylis, right, talks with Marissa Bernal between innings during a recent game. The Rebels pounded out a mercy-rule win over Lakewood. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SALEMBURG — Reigning Carolina 1A softball champion North Duplin launched its 2024 league campaign with a 24-4, mercy-rule conquest of Lakewood.
The Rebels pounded out 14 hits, benefited from five walks, a hit batter and had 10 batters reach base on an error.
Addy Higginbotham and Lilly Fulghum notched three hits and four RBI apiece. The duo combined to score seven runs.
Ady Spence and Gabby Zamudio each provided two hits. Sophia Davis, Reece Outlaw (RBI), Marissa Bernal and Kloe De Hoyos each recorded one hit in the scorebook.
Zamudio and Outlaw each stole a base.
Spence emerged victorious inside the circle. The sophomore right-hander received error-free support from her defense. Fulghum and Sara Thomas Tucker each registered three putouts, while Fulghum had two assists.
North Duplin (4-1 overall, 1-0 Carolina) hits the road Monday at conference rival Rosewood. Game time is 6 p.m.
Generals trip up Gators
GOLDSBORO — Wayne Prep Academy staged a six-run, fifth-inning uprising and fended off county baseball rival Spring Creek, 9-8, on the C35 Complex turf Friday evening.
The Generals trailed 6-3 through 4 1/2 innings.
Roger Goodspeed, Rylan Kornegay, Landon Hines (two RBI) and Nathan Jackson recorded one hit apiece. Orrin Tickles and Jesus Miranda-Henriquez each supplied an RBI.
Spring Creek logged 10 walks, stranded seven runners on base and posted 12 strikeouts as a team. Kornegay stole two bases. Goodspeed, Tickles and Nicholas Smith each swiped one bag.
Hines led the defense with six putouts, followed by Miranda-Henriquez with five and Jayson Hill with four.
Hill earned the mound start. The right-hander permitted three runs (two earned) on five hits, issued eight walks and notched three strikeouts. Tickles tossed two innings of one-hit, two-strikeout relief.
Hines endured the pitching loss.
Spring Creek (1-5 overall) begins its Neuse Six 2A campaign Tuesday at North Johnston. Game time is 6 p.m.
