CALYPSO — Tyler Johnsey slugged his first career home run and emerged as the winning pitcher during North Duplin’s 11-3, non-conference conquest of Jones Senior on a rainy Monday evening.
Johnsey yielded two runs (one earned) on two, six walks and sat down six Trojans on strikeouts in 4-plus innings of work. The senior right-hander improved to 4-0 on the bump this season.
At the plate, Johnsey collected his lone hit — a three-run homer — in the third inning. He drilled a one-strike offering from Trojans pitcher Gage Mustachia over the left-field wall. His bases-clearing blast highlighted a six-run uprising that broke a 2-2 deadlock.
Mustachion allowed eight runs (seven earned) on five hits, issued seven walks and struck out two Rebels.
North Duplin scratched out six hits on the night.
Austin Duff batted 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Tanner Kornegay, Garris Warren (RBI) and Wesley Holmes (two RBI) provided one hit apiece. Senior Richard Noble stole four bases, while Holmes swiped three bags. Kornegay, Warren and Erik Rosas each stole one base.
Esteban Santos Clark relieved Johnsey in the fifth. He gave up an earned run on two hits and one walk. Freshman Kayden Bowden allowed a seventh-inning hit before the Rebels secured their seventh consecutive win of the season.
Jones Senior (3-8 overall) endured its seventh straight loss and has a 9-12 worksheet against Carolina 1A opponents since 2012.
Winner of four consecutive games, North Duplin (10-2) continues defense of its Carolina 1A regular-season title today at Hobbton. The Rebels are 3-0 in the league, while Hobbton (8-3) is 3-1.
Game time is 6:30 p.m. in Newton Grove.
