North Lenoir Tops East Duplin 5-1, Sets Stage for Thursday Rematch

BEULAVILLE, N.C. — The North Lenoir Hawks traveled to East Duplin on Tuesday night and came away with a big 5-1 road win. The victory improves the Hawks to 11-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play, keeping them in the thick of a tight race for the conference championship.

With the win, North Lenoir is now tied at the top with South Lenoir, while East Duplin trails just behind at 8-2. The Hawks will have just 48 hours to enjoy the win before hosting East Duplin on Thursday at “The Swamp” for a high-stakes rematch.

Maddie Rouse was dominant both in the circle and at the plate. She pitched all seven innings, allowing eight hits, one run and striking out four Panthers. Offensively, she went 3-for-3 and drove in four runs—singling in the third to score one, hitting an inside-the-park home run in the fifth, and doubling in the seventh to bring in two more insurance runs.

Alyssa Hatcher got things going in the first inning with an RBI double to give the Hawks an early lead. North Lenoir finished the night with 10 hits as a team, with Lakyn Whitley joining Hatcher with two hits of her own.

“I was locked in at the mound,” Rouse said. “I knew they were going to hit the ball, but I knew our girls were going to have to play the same game.”

Head coach Colby Miller praised the team’s performance from top to bottom.

“Extremely proud. They did all the things we asked,” Miller said. “Maddie just threw an incredible game.”

The game saw a brief 20-minute delay heading into the fourth inning due to the setting sun behind the centerfield wall. The Hawks were leading 2-0 when play was paused.

“Came out of it and didn’t let it knock us down,” Miller said. “That is North Lenoir softball.”

Looking ahead to Thursday’s rematch, Miller added, “Be ready to play. It is a big game and we know it. Every game is huge, and every game matters.”