Hawks Soar to Back-to-Back Titles at Lenoir/Wayne Classic

The North Lenoir Hawks clinched the Lenoir/Wayne Easter Baseball Classic title for the second consecutive year. The Hawks showcased their depth and versatility throughout the tournament, finishing with a commendable 2-1 record.

The tournament opened with a challenging match against Southern Wayne, where the Hawks faced a setback, falling 9-5. Despite this early stumble, North Lenoir demonstrated their championship mettle by bouncing back strong. They overcame CB Aycock with a convincing 10-5 victory, highlighted by a first inning where the Hawks scored 9 runs, with every starting player recording a hit. Among the standout performances was Ethan Smith, who notched a 3-hit game. Mason Sasser contributed significantly with a big double and took to the mound for a scoreless 1.2 innings. Petey Wiggins added firepower with 2 doubles and closed out the last 2 innings to seal the game.

The momentum carried over to their next game against Rosewood, where North Lenoir secured a 7-1 win, anchored by a strong pitching performance from Jackson Jenkins. Jenkins threw a commendable game, further establishing the Hawks’ prowess in the tournament.

Notable statistics from the tournament include Ethan Smith batting .417 with 6 runs and 3 RBIs, Garrett Byrd hitting .500 with 5 RBIs and 3 doubles, Jackson Jenkins delivering on the mound with 5.0 innings pitched, 1 run, 0 earned runs, and 5 strikeouts, and Blake Crawford contributing a .375 batting average with 3 RBIs, 3 runs, and 3 stolen bases. Mason Sasser also made his mark with a .300 batting average, 1 RBI, 1 double, and 1 stolen base.

North Lenoir’s Head Coach, Cameron Sherrer, reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “After a slight setback with a good team in Southern Wayne on Saturday, our boys bounced back, showing their strength and unity as a team. Every player stepped up, contributing to our wins against CB Aycock and Rosewood, which were crucial in securing our title for the second year running.”

Meanwhile, South Lenoir faced tough competition in the tournament, finishing with a 1-2 record. They fell to CB Aycock 18-11 and Rosewood 7-2, but managed to pick up a win against Southern Wayne with a 9-5 scoreline, showcasing their determination and ability to compete at a high level.

The North Lenoir Hawks’ triumph in the Lenoir/Wayne Easter Baseball Classic once again, making it an annual tradition.