BEULAVILLE — County rivals North Duplin and East Duplin battled to a 1-1 split during their non-conference matchups Monday evening.
Lilly Fulghum hurled a two-hitter during the Rebels’ 8-0 triumph in softball.
The Panthers’ tandem of Raynor Baines and Jackson Gause combined for a one-hitter during their 10-4 conquest in baseball.
Softball
Fulghum walked three and retired four Panthers on strikeouts during her complete-game effort inside the circle.
Freshman outfielder Iala Overton (RBI), Addy Higginbotham (RBI), Sarah Tucker and Fulghum (two RBI) pounded out two hits apiece for the Rebels. Reece Outlaw, Kasey Jones and Ady Spence each contributed one hit.
North Duplin (5-1 overall) claimed its fourth straight win in the series.
The Rebels begin defense of their Carolina 1A crown at home today against Neuse Charter.
Baseball
Baines held the Rebels hitless and logged four strikeouts during his five-inning stint. However, he allowed three runs (two earned) on eight walks.
Gause yielded an unearned run on one hit and collected four strikeouts.
Richard Noble posted North Duplin’s lone hit.
East Duplin (8-1) touched Noble for four runs (three earned) on five hits in the first three innings. Hunt Pate provided two-plus innings of seven-hit relief. Esteban Santos Clark recorded the last two outs in the sixth.
Noble and Pate combined for eight strikeouts.
The Panthers scratched out 13 hits.
North Duplin (6-2) returns home today for its Carolina 1A opener against Neuse Charter. Game time is 6 p.m.
