James Kenan’s Cal Avent, first base, and Eli Avent, second base, look to work together to advance themselves on the base paths.
Robert P. Taylor|Mt. Olive Tribune
James Kenan’s Hunter Whitman stands on first base while Wallace-Rose Hill’s Caden Gavin holds second and Jerman Ayllon holds first during a mid-inning pause. Whitman watches the batter closely as he anticipates a chance to advance.
Robert P. Taylor|Mt. Olive Tribune
WARSAW — In a high-scoring affair on Thursday night, Wallace-Rose Hill edged out James Kenan 16–13 in a dramatic Duplin County rivalry game that featured multiple lead changes, explosive innings, and standout performances on both sides.
The Bulldogs capitalized on a massive second inning and responded effectively to James Kenan’s late-game surges, overcoming defensive challenges and high-pressure moments to secure the victory. The teams combined for 29 runs on 26 hits, with momentum swinging back and forth throughout the contest.
After a scoreless first inning, Wallace-Rose Hill erupted in the bottom of the second, plating seven runs to take an early lead. The inning began with a walk to Jacob Davis, followed by a single from Jayden Lambert. Davis advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a single by Will Hooks. Lambert and Hooks both scored on a double by Gavin Smith. The Bulldogs continued to apply pressure with aggressive baserunning and timely hitting, culminating in a two-run single by Reese Buckner to cap the inning.
James Kenan responded in the top of the third with a run, as Eli Avent reached base on a single and advanced to third on a double by Logan Pope. Avent scored on a groundout by Paxton Smith, cutting the deficit to 7–1.
Wallace-Rose Hill extended their lead in the bottom of the third, adding three more runs. Lambert led off with a single, followed by a walk to Davis. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Hooks. Hooks later scored on a sacrifice fly by Smith, pushing the Bulldogs’ lead to 10–1.
In the top of the fifth, James Kenan mounted a significant comeback. After a leadoff single by Jeremiah Hall and a walk to Josh Mitchell, the Tigers loaded the bases with a single by Tyquise Wilson. Avent then delivered a two-run single, followed by a two-run double from Pope, narrowing the gap to 10–5. The Tigers continued to capitalize on defensive miscues, with Wilson scoring on a passed ball and Pope scoring on a single by Smith, bringing the score to 10–7.
Wallace-Rose Hill managed to halt the Tigers’ momentum in the bottom of the fifth, but James Kenan tied the game in the top of the sixth. After a single by Mitchell and a double by Wilson, both runners scored on a single by Avent, knotting the game at 10–10.
The Bulldogs regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Lambert reached base on a walk and advanced to second on a single by Davis. Both runners moved up on a passed ball, and Lambert scored on a sacrifice fly by Hooks. Davis then scored on a single by Smith, giving Wallace-Rose Hill a 12–10 advantage.
James Kenan refused to go quietly, rallying once more in the top of the seventh. After a single by Hall and a walk to Mitchell, Wilson delivered a two-run triple to tie the game at 12–12. Wilson then scored on a sacrifice fly by Avent, giving the Tigers a 13–12 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, Wallace-Rose Hill mounted a final rally. Buckner led off with a single and advanced to second on a walk to Davis. Both runners moved up on a passed ball, and Buckner scored on a single by Hooks to tie the game at 13–13. Davis then scored the winning run on a walk-off single by Smith, sealing the 16–13 victory for the Bulldogs.
Wallace-Rose Hill’s offense was led by Jacob Davis, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Jayden Lambert added two hits and scored three times, while Will Hooks contributed three RBIs. Gavin Smith and Reese Buckner each had two hits and combined for four RBIs.
For James Kenan, Eli Avent had a standout performance, going 3-for-5 with five RBIs. Tyquise Wilson added two hits and three RBIs, while Logan Pope contributed two hits and two RBIs.
James Kenan head coach Lee Sutton acknowledged the team’s resilience despite the loss. “This wasn’t quite the season we were looking for,” Sutton said. “But we only lose one senior, and if we can improve our pitching and defense, we’ll be better next year. I’m very proud of all the guys and the fight they showed tonight.”
With the victory, both teams will look to build on this experience as they finish up their respective seasons.
