CALYPSO, N.C. — Last year North Duplin enjoyed being out of the limelight in its run to a runner-up finish in the 1A softball playoffs. This year, the team knows it has a target on its back.

There’s a different feel about this year’s run in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs, but the results feel about the same. The Rebels defeated East Columbus 13-2 on Monday in the third round. It was a rematch of last year’s classic three-game series for the East regional final.

All told, top-seeded North Duplin (17-1) rapped out 14 hits, including three home runs by three different players. Pitcher Lilly Fulghum helped her own cause with a three-run home run in the first inning, junior Addy Higginbotham went yard in the third to make it 4-0, and UNC recruit Reece Outlaw ended the game with her three-run shot in the bottom of the fifth.

Ninth-seeded East Columbus (18-8) had two hits in the game, and both were solo home runs in the fourth inning. Jenna King put the Gators on the board first and senior Chynna Patrick followed later in the inning.

Only three of the 13 runs freshman Gracie Coyle allowed were earned as the Gators made a whopping seven errors.

Outlaw (3-for-4), Higginbotham (2-for-2), and Fulghum (2-for-3) each finished with three RBIs while Iala Overton had two to go with her three hits. Sarah Thomas Tucker added one RBI and Marissa Bernal went 3-for-3 at the plate.

North Duplin will host either Perquimans or Northside of Beaufort County in Friday’s fourth round, the last of the single-elimination rounds.

Source: highschoolot.com