Fifth-Inning Surge Lifts South Lenoir Past Richlands
Photos by: Ricki Lane
DEEP RUN – South Lenoir put together its most complete performance of the season Tuesday night, using a six-run fifth inning to secure a dominant 10-0 win over Richlands. The victory marks the Blue Devils’ second of the year—both coming against the Wildcats after a 16-3 win on the road last week.
Pitching, timely hitting, and aggressive baserunning were the formula for South Lenoir. Senior Hayden Marshburn delivered a commanding performance on the mound, striking out eight while allowing just one hit in five innings.
"I felt good out there," Marshburn said. "I knew I had my defense to back me up, and the boys gave me the early lead with that home run. I knew they weren’t going to let me down."
That early home run came courtesy of senior Christian Coples, who launched a two-run shot to center field in the first inning to give the Blue Devils a spark.
South Lenoir (2-2) added another run in the third when Jake Howard singled to center, making it a 3-0 game. The offense, which tallied five hits and worked five walks, really found its groove in the fifth.
Matthew Rhodes, who went 2-for-3 with a double, came through with a clutch two-run knock in the big inning.
"I went into it knowing Braden [Barnett] had just hit a ball off the fence for a double," Rhodes said. "We had to score him, and I got my chance. That was my goal, and I succeeded."
Noah Rouse added an RBI groundout, Luke Potter drew a bases-loaded walk, and Gage Howard capped off the rally with a two-run groundout. By the end of the inning, the Blue Devils had seven different players cross the plate.
Head coach Paul Novicki was pleased with the way his team executed in all phases of the game.
"I thought we played well," Novicki said. "There are things we need to clean up, but I love the energy we played with. We talked about some of those things after the game, and we’re going to get there."
The Blue Devils struck out just four times in 20 at-bats, showing discipline at the plate while keeping the pressure on Richlands throughout the night. Rouse swiped two of the team’s five stolen bases, keeping the Wildcats on their heels.
Richlands' lone hit came from Semco, who went 1-for-2 at the plate.
South Lenoir now turns its attention to a back-to-back set against North Duplin, traveling on Thursday before returning home Monday to face the Rebels.
