Hawks Snap Skid with 7–3 Win Over Rebels Behind Sasser’s Complete Game
North Lenoir got back on track Monday night, riding a dominant complete-game performance from Mason Sasser and a balanced offensive attack to a 7–3 win over North Duplin in the Dick Broadcasting Easter Tournament.
Sasser was in control from start to finish, striking out nine without issuing a walk. The senior scattered 10 hits but limited the Rebels to just three earned runs in a gutsy outing that gave the Hawks exactly what they needed to stop a two-game slide.
"I felt pretty good on the mound. I was just trying to stay in the zone and let my defense work," Sasser said after the game.
The Hawks, now 13–6, set the tone early. Jayden Miller got the scoring started with an RBI single in the first inning, and Carter Chadwick followed with a clutch RBI double in the second after a walk from Garrett Byrd, giving North Lenoir an early cushion.
"Everything that I asked of them—asked them to come out with a new mindset and just be aggressive, get after it—and we did," head coach Cam Sherrer said.
North Lenoir’s offense didn’t let up. Wriston Honeycutt led the charge with a perfect 3-for-3 night at the plate, notching singles in the second and third before adding a double in the fifth. The Hawks tallied 11 hits in total, with Miller and Ethan Smith both turning in multi-hit performances. Chadwick, despite a 1-for-4 line, drove in two crucial runs in the middle of the order.
The Rebels made a push in the top of the fifth to cut the deficit, but the Hawks answered right back with two runs in the bottom half, keeping the momentum firmly in their hands.
"Very proud. We've been harping on all year about being resilient—anything that comes our way, just keep playing our game and do what we can. We definitely needed that big time today," Sherrer added.
North Duplin starter Keiz Brock couldn’t find his rhythm early, allowing four runs—three earned—on five hits over two innings. He walked three and struck out two before exiting.
With the win, the Hawks are set to wrap up tournament play Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Southern Wayne, a team they defeated 9–1 earlier this season.
