North Lenoirv Dominate in Conference Opener Against Kinston

KINSTON - The North Lenoir Hawks (3-1) showcased a commanding performance in their conference opener, cruising to a 20-0 win against Kinston (1-3). On the road, the Hawks demonstrated their depth and versatility, with Head Coach Cam Sherrer expressing pride in his team’s display, especially for those who achieved personal milestones. “It was an important win, first conference game and on the road,” Sherrer said, emphasizing the victory’s value. “We had a couple guys get their first career varsity hits so that was cool to see,” he added, sharing in the excitement of his players’ growth and success.

Eli Kearney led the charge for the Hawks with a stellar 10-strikeout, one-hit performance over four innings. The batting order followed suit, with Garrett Byrd delivering a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate, and both Jackson Jenkins and Wriston Honeycutt contributing multiple hits to drive the team forward.

Despite the defeat, Kinston showed resilience, especially from reliever Jaylen Hawkins, who entered the game in a challenging situation. Hawkins delivered three innings of relief, yielding four hits and four runs—a commendable effort to stem the Hawks’ tide. Kinston’s starter Qurron Ross had a tough outing, lasting only one inning while surrendering 13 runs, though only three were earned, indicating that Kinston’s defense struggled with errors that compounded their troubles.

Kinston’s Head Coach Andrew McLeod remained optimistic about his team’s tenacity and determination. “We kept fighting tonight so I can’t be upset about our effort,” he commented post-game. With an eye on recovery and development, he added, “We have to shake this off and get ready for next week,” setting a resilient tone for the team as they prepare to face South Lenoir.

North Lenoir now sets their sights on continuing their solid start to the season in their upcoming game against Northside – Jacksonville, while Kinston aims to bounce back, correct their course, and seek a redemptive performance against South Lenoir. The early stages of conference play are proving pivotal for both teams as they build their identities for the rest of the season.