Hawks Advance to Round 2

For the ninth straight season, excluding the COVID year, the North Lenoir baseball team has hosted a first round home playoff match-up. The Hawks secured their third consecutive first-round win against James Kenan in a decisive 10-0 victory last night.

NL's coach Jackson Massey emphasized that hosting a home playoff game was a goal but they now have other milestones to focus on including the ultimate goal, state championship, "We got six games we got to get to and complete to be where we wanna be, and we took care of one tonight. We got five left, and we can't get to five unless we win Friday," Massey said. "Our mode is just win or go home, leave it all out here regardless of the results, give it all you got and whether you win or lose, you will be proud of your effort. That's what they did tonight; they played really loose, with a lot of energy."

The team's 11 seniors brought invaluable experience to the game. "These guys have been through it; they played in six playoff games last year, they were part of four more when they were sophomores, they have been around it so many times. This group, I don't think you have seen a moment that is too big for them. So just the veteran leadership that they display, keeping everyone up in the dugout and someone different coming through each game, that's all you can ask for. It's a plus they are fun to be around too," added Massey.

Jackson Jenkins threw a shutout to lead North Lenoir to victory. The Hawks' offense got things started in the first inning when Matt Hill doubled on the first pitch of the at-bat, scoring one run. The team notched five runs in the third inning, with RBIs from Jayden Garrett, Hunter Coulombe, Luke Cannon, and Tyler Sears.

Senior Matthew Hill, who went two for four in the game, was one of the leaders who came through for the team. Batting .400, Hill ranks fourth on the team and leads in runs with 29 and stolen bases with 14. "Not worried at all, I feel comfortable, and I think we all do. I am not scared; we are going in full confidence in our next game," Hill said.

James Kenan, a conference opponent, had already played the Hawks twice this season. The Tigers, with a 10-10 season record, defeated North Lenoir on April 27th, 10-8. North Lenoir defeated them 7-0 at home earlier in the year.

The Hawks will now face the winner of the match between #13 seed Ayden Grifton and #20 seed Nash Central at home Friday night in the NCHSAA playoffs.