Second-year North Duplin head baseball Colton Chrisman talks with Hunt Pate before an at-bat. The Rebels improved to 2-0 with a 5-2 win over East Duplin on Thursday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — Holden Williams provided two hits and an RBI during North Duplin’s 5-2, non-conference conquest of county rival East Duplin on Thursday evening.
Williams’ second-inning RBI single plated Richard Noble. His one-out single in the sixth ignited a key, two-run uprising that helped lift the Rebels to their third win over the Panthers in six meetings since 2013.
“Holden stepped up really big for us,” second-year ND head coach Colton Chrisman said.
Brady Byrd’s lead-off base knock spearheaded a two-run, third-inning rally. Hunt Pate walked, Austin Duff singled and Noble drew an RBI bases-loaded walk to score Byrd.
Pate scampered home on Erik Rosas’ sac fly to left field.
Rosas (2-0) permitted two hits and retired 11 Panthers on strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings on the bump. Noble earned the save on with a game-ending strikeout.
“Erik was good, and has some swing and miss stuff tonight,” Chrisman said. “We played timely defense behind him. We provided enough offense to give us a chance.”
Pate (two RBI), Wesley Holmes, Noble, E. Santos Clark and Byrd each provided one hit. Noble stole three bases. Rosas, Brendan Reyna and Pate each swiped one base.
“Really proud of my guys tonight,” Chrisman said. “Hat’s off to them, they are a good team. That was a good baseball game.”
Weather permitting, the Rebels (2-0 overall) entertain South Lenoir today. Game time is 6 p.m.
