North Duplin concluded regular-season play with a 22-1, mercy-rule conquest over Hobbton Monday evening. The Rebels finished 8-0 against Carolina 1A opposition. From left are Rebels head coach Jaime Kylis, senior Dana Santibanez, senior Kasey Jones, bat girl Charlotte Nielsen, senior Adaisha Bernal, senior Riley Hatch and assistant coach Steve Kylis. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — North Duplin put the finishing touches on its perfect Carolina 1A regular-season softball campaign with a 22-1, mercy-rule romp over Hobbton on Monday evening.
Riley Hatch just missed hitting for the cycle with a single, double and triple. One of four seniors honored before the first pitch, Hatch drew a walk during her final at-bat.
Barton signee Kasey Jones (3-for-4, 2 RBI) belted a solo home run, which highlighted a 15-run, fourth-inning offensive outburst.
Addy Higginbotham (RBI), winning pitcher Lilly Fulghum (two RBI) and Sarah Tucker contributed three hits apiece. Reece Outlaw batted 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBi.
M’chelle Jaco provided two hits and an RBI.
Ady Spence (RBI) and Melany Sanchez each had one hit.
Fulghum permitted five hits, walked two and retired eight Wildcats on strikeouts in five innings of work.
Also appearing in their last regular-season contest were seniors Adaisha Bernal and Dana Santibanez.
North Duplin (15-2 overall) claimed its seventh consecutive victory over Hobbton. The two teams meet today at Newton Grove for a semifinal-round game in the 2023 Carolina 1A tournament. First pitch is 5 p.m.
