Lakewood hasn't had much luck against North Duplin recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Lakewood Leopards will head out to face off against the North Duplin Rebels at 6:00 p.m. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Lakewood had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 17-run drubbing they dealt Union on Tuesday. Lakewood never let Union get on the board and left with a 17-0 win. The result was nothing new for the Leopards, who have now won three games by six runs or more so far this season.
Aden Norton
| 03/18/25 vs Union | 3 |
| 04/12/24 vs Neuse Charter | 2 |
| 03/14/25 @ Red Springs | 1 |
| 03/12/25 vs St. Pauls | 1 |
| 03/03/25 @ St. Pauls | 1 |
The team relied heavily on Aden Norton, who scored three runs and stole Two bases. while going 3-for-3. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Seth Faircloth was another key player, scoring two runs while going 1-for-2.
Lakewood always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .520. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for North Duplin, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Thursday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Neuse Charter on Tuesday, sneaking past 7-6. The Rebels haven't had any issues with the Cougars recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive victory against them.
Wesley Holmes was excellent, scoring a run while going 2-for-3. He also brought in three RBI, marking his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Garris Warren, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 1-for-2.
North Duplin's record is now 2-3. As for Lakewood, their win ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 4-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lakewood has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like North Duplin struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Lakewood suffered a grim 8-1 defeat to North Duplin when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Can Lakewood avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
