North Duplin senior right-hander Erik Rosas tossed two shutout innings and logged six shutouts during a season-opening, no-hit victory over Lejeune on Monday afternoon. Rosas has committed to the University of Mount Olive. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin lead-off batter Hunt Pate leans into a bunt attempt as the ball bounces under his bat during first-inning action against Lejeune on Monday afternoon. Pate batted 1-for-2 and scored two runs. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Richard Noble, right, safely slides into third base after he stretched a double into a triple during first-inning play against Lejeune on Monday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin catcher Austin Duff gets the pitching call from the dugout during first-inning action against Lejeune on Monday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s Hunt Pate crashes into Lejeune’s third baseman after advancing on a high throw in the first inning Monday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin third baseman Hunt Pate scoops up a ground ball Monday afternoon and eventually fires a strike to first. The Rebels’ defense played error-free during their season-opening, 20-0 romp over Lejeune on Monday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — What a way start to the season.
Four North Duplin pitchers combined for a no-hitter and nearly recorded a perfect outing during a 20-0, mercy-rule victory over Lejeune on Monday afternoon.
Starting right-hander Erik Rosas retired six Devilpups on strikeouts in two innings. Bullpen mates Richard Noble, Tanner Kornegay and Tyler Johnsey combined for three hitless innings and six strikeouts.
Rosas plunked Devilpups third baseman Kristopher Carver with two outs in the second inning. Carver stole second base, but was left stranded when Rosas notched an inning-ending strikeout.
The defense backed up the quartet with an error-free effort.
“All of our pitchers threw the ball well,” second-year ND head coach Colton Chrisman said. “We took care of the baseball.”
North Duplin benefited from seven Lejeune miscues and two hit batsmen. The Rebels seized an 11-0 lead after one inning and claimed their sixth consecutive conquest of the Devilpups.
Noble emerged as the offensive leader with three hits and two RBI. Johnsey and Brady Byrd, the No. 9 hitter in the lineup, contributed two hits apiece. Byrd collected four RBI.
Kornegay, lead-off batter Hunt Pate, Wesley Holmes and Austin Duff each provided one hit. Freshman Garris Warren came off the bench to drive in a run.
The Rebels had just three punchouts in 27 official at-bats.
“I am very happy with the boys’ performance tonight,” said Chrisman, who guided the Rebels to back-to-back, season-opening wins for the first time in more than a decade.
“We hit the ball really good. Richard had a great game at the plate along with Brady. We look forward to preparing for East Duplin on Thursday.”
North Duplin (1-0 overall) is 2-3 against East Duplin since 2013. The county rivals last met in 2018.
