WARSAW — North Duplin launched its softball season in victorious fashion, while the varsity baseball team remained unbeaten during action against county rival James Kenan on Tuesday evening.
Lilly Fulghum prevailed during her debut inside the pitcher’s circle. The freshman retired 12 Tigers on strikeouts and permitted seven hits.
Senior Adaisha Bernal cranked out three hits and scored twice in four at-bats. Her sister, Marissa, collected two hits, drew a walk and tallied one run.
Reece Outlaw, Addy Higginbotham and senior catcher Kasey Jones pounded out two hits apiece. Fulghum and Riley Hatch each contributed one hit.
The Rebels improved to 5-7-1 in season openers since 2011 and have won 16 of their last 19 meetings against the Tigers.
North Duplin entertains South Lenoir today. First pitch is 5 p.m. The Blue Devils reached the eastern 2A regional championship game a year ago.
Rebels baseball rolling
Tyler Johnsey and Esteban Santos Clark combined for 10 strikeouts on the mound during the Rebels’ come-from-behind, 11-4 win over the Tigers.
Johnsey allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits, walked four and struck out seven in four innings. Clark secured the win with three innings of four-hit, three-strikeout relief.
Kenan led 2-1 through four innings.
North Duplin forged in front 5-2 in the top of the fifth. Clark, Wesley Holmes and Garris Warren each had one hit. The Rebels also benefited from three walks, a passed ball and dropped third strike.
The Tigers closed the gap to 5-4.
Johnsey and Erik Rosas each doubled during North Duplin’s five-run uprising in the seventh inning. Hunt Pate, Austin Duff, Richard Noble and Brady Byrd delivered one hit apiece.
Noble (RBI) and Johnsey (three RBI) paced the Rebels’ offense with two hits on the day. Pate, Rosas and Clark each drove in two runs.
North Duplin (4-0 overall) rose to 19-4 against the Tigers since 2010. The Rebels continue a four-game road swing Friday at South Lenoir.
