The final game of the NCHSAA 2A East Regional Championship lived up to every bit of the hype as the North Duplin Lady Rebels battled through rainy conditions and a tough Manteo Lady Redskins squad to secure a dramatic 10-9 victory.
With the series tied 1-1 entering the decisive matchup, both teams knew everything was on the line. North Duplin was fighting for its first trip back to the State Championship since 2023, while Manteo hoped to pull off the upset and continue its postseason run. Despite the wet atmosphere and tense environment, both teams delivered an unforgettable showdown filled with home runs, clutch defensive plays, and late-game heroics.
Early Fireworks for Manteo Lady Redskins
Manteo wasted no time setting the tone offensively in the opening inning. After back-to-back runners reached base, Lady Redskins player No. 8 Kayla Austin blasted a three-run home run over the fence to give Manteo an early 3-0 advantage.
North Duplin quickly answered in the bottom half of the inning when Lady Rebels standout No. 7 Lilly Fulghum crushed a solo home run, cutting the deficit and swinging momentum back toward the Rebels.
Both pitchers settled in during the next few innings, with North Duplin’s No. 7 Lilly Fulghum recording several key strikeouts to keep the Lady Rebels within striking distance.
Defensive Plays Keep the Game Tight
The middle innings featured several momentum-shifting defensive moments from both sides. North Duplin’s defense came alive with key catches in the outfield and a huge double play turned by No. 2 Gracelyn Higginbotham that energized the Rebels crowd.
Meanwhile, Manteo pitcher No. 7 Makenna Gray continued to battle in the circle, recording multiple strikeouts and working out of tough situations to maintain the Lady Redskins’ lead.
North Duplin slowly chipped away at the deficit, capitalizing on timely hits and defensive miscues to stay within reach heading into the later innings.
Late-Inning Drama Sparks Rebels Comeback
The game exploded offensively in the later innings.
Manteo appeared to take control after loading the bases with several walks before delivering key hits to push runners across the plate and extend the lead. A clutch hit from No. 4 Peedee Berry brought in two runs and put pressure back on North Duplin.
However, the Lady Rebels refused to back down.
In one of the biggest innings of the night, North Duplin rallied behind several clutch at-bats. A key hit from No. 5 Wyllow Holmes brought in a run before No. 9 Marissa Bernal delivered a massive double to left field, driving in two runs and giving the Lady Rebels the lead. Another extra-base hit from No. 8 Ady Spence added to the momentum as the Rebels crowd erupted.
Rebels Hold On to Seal Championship Berth
With the game on the line in the final inning, North Duplin turned to No. 2 Gracelyn Higginbotham in the circle after a pitching change. Manteo threatened once again by putting runners on base, but the Lady Rebels defense stepped up under pressure.
After two crucial outs were recorded on hard-hit balls, North Duplin pitcher No. 2 Gracelyn Higginbotham sealed the victory with a strikeout to complete the thrilling comeback and send the Lady Rebels back to the State Championship Game.
Final Score: North Duplin Lady Rebels 10, Manteo Lady Redskins 9
Post-Game Interview – East Regional Championship
After the East Regional Championship victory, I had the opportunity to speak with Head Coach Jaime Kylis of the North Duplin Lady Rebels. Coach Kylis shared how exciting and resilient this team has been all season.
“Yes, we were down,” Coach Kylis said, “but you can never count out the Lady Rebels. These girls fought and clawed their way back into this game, and I’m so proud of this team. Big plays came from everyone on the field tonight.”
I also had the chance to speak with two key players from the game, No. 7 Lilly Fulghum and No. 2 Gracelyn Higginbotham.
No. 7 Lilly Fulghum, the starting pitcher and a senior leader for the Lady Rebels, reflected on the team’s determination after falling behind 9-4. “We never gave up,” she said. “We just kept fighting back and continued to play our game no matter what.”
No. 2 Gracelyn Higginbotham, the freshman pitcher who came in to close out the game, spoke about the confidence she felt stepping into a high-pressure situation.
“I came in knowing my team was behind me the entire way,” No. 2 Gracelyn Higginbotham said. “I stayed poised and believed I could get the job done, even with the pressure and no outs against a strong Lady Redskins lineup.”
North Duplin Lady Rebels Defeat Manteo Lady Redskins in Regional Round One Thriller
Previous play: Rebels and Redskins clash in 2A East Regional softball playoffs
The East Regional Round of the 2A State Women’s Softball Playoffs featured a highly anticipated matchup between the No. 1-seeded North Duplin Lady Rebels and the No. 2-seeded Manteo Lady Redskins.
North Duplin, led by head coach Jaime Kylis, entered the series with an impressive 16-1 overall record, while Manteo, coached by Chad Leary, came in at 19-6 overall. With the regional format now being a best-of-three series, both teams knew every inning would matter in what turned out to be an exciting and competitive battle.
Lady Rebels Strike Early to Take Control
Manteo opened the game at the plate, but North Duplin pitcher No. 7 Lilly Fulghum quickly settled in, recording multiple strikeouts to keep the Lady Redskins off the scoreboard in the opening inning.
The Lady Rebels responded immediately in the bottom of the first. After several walks loaded the bases, North Duplin’s No. 8 Ady Spence delivered a clutch hit into left field that brought three runners home and gave the Lady Rebels an early 3-0 advantage.
Manteo Answers Back
The Lady Redskins began to find momentum in the second inning. A double by No. 4 Peedee Berry and a base hit from No. 11 Aubree Muir helped Manteo plate its first run of the game, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
North Duplin answered again in the bottom half of the inning. A hit-by-pitch and a strong line drive from No. 7 Lilly Fulghum helped bring another run home. Defensive miscues by Manteo allowed two additional runners to score, extending the Lady Rebels’ lead to 6-1.
Despite the setback, Manteo continued to battle. In the third inning, No. 10 Bella Huntingford delivered a big hit that brought in another run for the Lady Redskins, making it 6-2.
Home Run Sparks the Lady Redskins
Manteo’s biggest moment came later in the game when No. 10 Bella Huntingford blasted an outside-the-park home run to bring the Lady Redskins closer on the scoreboard. The hit energized Manteo and trimmed North Duplin’s lead to just two runs.
However, the Lady Rebels’ defense stepped up when needed most. Key outs from pitcher No. 7 Lilly Fulghum, catcher No. 27 Abigail Brown, and several strong defensive plays in the field helped North Duplin maintain control during critical moments.
Strong Pitching Seals the Win
Both teams battled throughout the later innings, but North Duplin’s pitching proved to be the difference. Pitcher No. 7 Lilly Fulghum consistently delivered strikeouts and key defensive plays to stop Manteo rallies.
In the final inning, the Lady Redskins threatened with multiple base hits, but the Lady Rebels closed the game with another strikeout from No. 7 Lilly Fulghum to secure the victory.
Final Score: North Duplin Lady Rebels 7, Manteo Lady Redskins 5
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