North Duplin senior Richard Noble batted 3-for-3 with three RBI in game one of a doubleheader against Carolina 1A Conference foe Union on Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin first baseman Tyler Johnsey can’t field a wild throw as Union’s Treshawn Tayler avoids getting hit by the ball. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Hunt Pate retired six of seven batters he faced and collected four strikeouts during his game-shortened no-hitter Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin southpaw Tanner Kornegay hurled a two-inning, run-rule win over Union on Thursday afternoon. The Spartans’ coaching staff called the game after the Rebels built a 13-3 lead in the second inning. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Thomas Morrisey waits for the pitch during action against Union on Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin catcher Austin Duff stretches high to catch an errant pitch out of the strike zone during play against Carolina 1A member Union on Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — The anticipated showdown is set.
Reigning Carolina 1A champ North Duplin stayed unbeaten in conference play with a doubleheader sweep, 16-0 and 13-3, over Union on Thursday afternoon.
The Rebels (17-2 overall, 8-0 Carolina) can clinch the league’s automatic playoff bid against Rosewood next Tuesday. Game time is 6 p.m. at the Eagles Nest.
Right-hander Hunt Pate no-hit the Spartans in game one. He logged four strikeouts in the contest, which was halted after two innings due to the mercy rule.
Richard Noble batted 3-for-3 with three RBI, while Brendan Reyna contributed two hits.
Pate (RBI), Austin Duff (two RBI), Wesley Holmes (RBI), Tyler Johnsey (RBI), Thomas Morrisey (RBI), Esteban Santos Clark and Dante Santibinez (RBI) contributed one hit apiece.
Garris Warren and Billy McCoy each recorded an RBI.
In the nightcap, southpaw Tanner Kornegay hurled a two-inning no-hitter. He permitted three unearned runs, walked one and retired three Spartans on strikeouts.
Reyna (RBI), Duff (three RBI), Holmes (two RBI), Brady Byrd (RBI) and McCoy each collected one hit.
The Rebels capitalized on nine walks and five Union errors.
Softball
North Duplin used the long ball to clinch at least a share of its third consecutive Carolina 1A regular-season crown with a 17-2, five-inning thrashing of Union on Thursday afternoon.
Addy Higginbotham cleared the fence twice, while Reece Outlaw and Lilly Fulghum each belted a solo shot. Fulghum singled, doubled and tripled — one at-bat shy of the cycle.
Kasey Jones and Riley Hatch (RBI) each recorded a hit.
Higginbotham, Outlaw, Fulghum, Jones, Hatch and Ady Spence combined to steal 12 bases.
Fulghum limited the Spartans to three hits and collected six strikeouts during her three-inning stint inside the circle. Higginbotham provided two innings of three-strikeout relief.
The Rebels (13-2 overall, 6-0 Carolina) continue play next Tuesday at Rosewood. First pitch is 6 p.m.
Girls’ soccer
Union notched the game-deciding goal in the 57th minute and eased past North Duplin, 3-0, in their Carolina 1A battle contested at H.E. Grubbs Field.
The Spartans dominated possession for most of the 80-minute affair, but struggled to find the back of the net. They broke a scoreless draw in the 57th minute and avenged an earlier home loss to the Rebels.
Amanda Torres, Marlene Sanchez and Belki Zelaya tallied one goal apiece for Union.
North Duplin (4-10-0 overall, 3-5-0 Carolina) visits Rosewood next Tuesday. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Branch Pope Field.
