Rebels overcome weather delay, shut out Tigers

By Allen Eztler
Published in Sports on April 29, 2014 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

CALYPSO -- It took almost four hours, but North Duplin and James Kenan did what was necessary to finish their Carolina 1-A Conference baseball game Monday evening.

After delays of 32 and 83 minutes, the Rebels walked off the field with a 14-0, five-inning victory over the Tigers.

Just before the first pitch, the umpires saw lightning and cleared the field. The players soon returned, loosened up and started the game.

North Duplin's James Britt hit a line-drive double into right field. James Kenan's right fielder bobbled the ball and Britt took third on the play.

The Rebels eventually scored two runs. They added three runs in the second inning and four in the third to give starting pitcher Trey Pate a comfortable advantage.

Pate held the Tigers hitless on nine strikeouts and one walk before lightning delayed the game a second time. North Duplin's players covered the pitcher's mound with a tarp and jogged toward the locker room.

Head coach James Hobbs talked with the players about what they did well, and the miscommunication on the base-paths that cost his team a run. Hobbs took part of the blame.

While the teams waited out the weather, the Rebels decided to hold a fun-filled batting practice -- hitting coins with their helmets. Hobbs kept a watchful eye.

"They're still young'uns so I got to stay in there and make sure nothing goes wrong, but we cut up a little and had some fun," Hobbs said.

Pate didn't return to the mound after the second delay. Britt recorded four strikeouts in relief, giving the Rebels' pitching staff 13 strikeouts on the night.

Pate had two hits and an RBI on offense. Charlie Mac Holloman had two hits, including a triple. Ced Kornegay added a triple and two RBI.

North Duplin (10-4 overall, 7-3 CC) stayed within striking distance of conference foes Spring Creek and Rosewood. The Rebels trail the Eagles by two games and the league-leading Gators by three games.

Weather permitting, North Duplin faces Rosewood today.