North Duplin right-hander Tyler Johnsey works during early-inning action against Neuse Charter on Tuesday evening. The senior recorded seven strikeouts in a 14-0 win over Neuse Charter. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — North Duplin logged another no-hitter in its scorebook Tuesday evening.
This one belongs to Tyler Johnsey.
The senior right-hander faced just two batters over the minimum during a 14-0, mercy-rule triumph over Carolina 1A rival Neuse Charter on Tuesday evening.
“Extremely proud of Tyler and the way he attacked hitters tonight,” said ND head coach Colton Chrisman. “He’s always pretty consistent, did a good job keeping them off balance. We got [another] chance to put one [a no-hitter] in the books.
“We played quality defense behind him as well. I’m proud of my guys to come out and play our game, not just go through the motions.”
Johnsey posted seven strikeouts. He coaxed the Cougars into three groundouts, five flyouts and retired eight consecutive batters over two-plus innings of work. He issued two walks to Knox Gipe.
The Rebels have no-hit four opponents this season.
Held in check offensively during its last two outings, North Duplin (7-2 overall, 1-0 Carolina) scratched out eight hits. Chrisman’s club also capitalized on six walks and five Neuse Charter errors.
“We went through a little rough patch there where we didn’t swing the bats well the last two games, but tonight I think we came alive,” Chrisman said.
Catcher Austin Duff plated the eventual game-winning run on a first-inning base knock that scored lead-off batter Hunt Pate. The Rebels built a 5-0 lead and chased Cougar starter Blane Barefoot from the mound.
Barefoot threw just two-thirds of an inning.
North Duplin collected six runs in the third inning and three in the fourth en route to its 11th conference-opening win in 13 tries since 2010.
Duff (two RBI), freshman first baseman Garris Warren (RBI) and third baseman Esteban Santos Clark (two RBI) provided two hits apiece. Pate (three RBI) and Brady Byrd each registered one hit.
The Rebels entertain conference rival Lakewood on Thursday. First pitch is 6 p.m.
