North Lenoir’s Run Continues: East Finals Bound

WILLIAMSTON — There’s something brewing in North Lenoir, and it smells like destiny.

On a humid Friday night in Martin County, the 15-seed North Lenoir Hawks continued their march through the 2A state softball playoffs, knocking off the No. 3 seed Gators, 4-2, to punch their ticket to the East Regional Finals.

The Hawks postseason has become a showcase in resilience, belief, and timely execution. With the victory, the Hawks are now one step away from a state championship appearance — a stage they haven’t reached since hoisting the title in 2005.

“We just had to make the plays we’re supposed to make,” said head coach Colby Miller. “Keep doing the little things right. Team hustle, effort, play the game 100 percent — we’ve done that this postseason, and it’s worked out for us.”

Rouse Rises Again

Senior ace Maddie Rouse was once again sensational, going the distance in the circle for the fourth consecutive playoff game. Rouse fired seven innings of four-hit ball, allowing two unearned runs, striking out four and walking three in another gritty performance.

Her command and composure anchored the Hawks as they battled a Martin County offense powered by Ty’Hiera Wooten (.459 AVG, 31 RBIs) and Erica Sturgill (.319 AVG, 6 HRs), who also doubles as one of the top pitchers in eastern North Carolina.

Yet it was Rouse — not the vaunted Sturgill — who owned the circle when it mattered.

In four playoff rounds, Rouse has thrown 24 total innings, pitching every single pitch for the Hawks so far, while silencing some of the best lineups in the bracket: Southwest Edgecombe, Roanoke Rapids (No. 2 seed), Camden County (No. 7), and now Martin County.

Depth That Speaks Volumes

While Rouse delivered in the circle, the lineup continued to prove just how dangerous this Hawks roster really is — top to bottom.

Take Junior outfielder Haley Hemby, for example. Batting in the 9-hole, Hemby went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. It marked her second straight multi-hit game, following a 2-for-3, two-run performance against Camden County in the third round.

“I just try to make my adjustments and work to get on base,” Hemby said. “Whatever it takes.”

That quiet approach is making a loud impact.

“I’m so incredibly proud of her,” Miller said. “The last two games, she has hit the ball very well. On multiple occasions she’s come up big for us. She stays in the cage and just grinds it out.”

Across four rounds of the postseason, Hemby has scored five runs, tallied four hits, stolen two bases, and added an RBI — all from the bottom of the lineup. She represents the embodiment of North Lenoir’s depth, where no at-bat is wasted and every player is a threat.

In the first round, it was catcher Alyssa Hatcher leading the way with a 3-for-4 night and four RBIs. In the second round, it was Lakyn Whitley’s 2-for-4 outing with an RBI that powered the Hawks past No. 2 Roanoke Rapids. Whitley stayed hot in the fourth round, going 2-for-4 again and driving in North Lenoir’s only RBI of the night.

“I felt good,” Whitley said. “I knew all I had to do was get on base and my team would get me in. That’s always my goal — get on base.”

Early Runs, Late Grit

The Hawks struck first, capitalizing on a Martin County error in the opening frame. But the Gators punched back, scoring two unearned runs of their own in the bottom half — one on a walk, another on a fielding miscue.

Still, North Lenoir responded without hesitation.

Whitley tied the game in the second with a clutch infield single, and another Martin County miscue in the third gave the Hawks the 3-2 lead. From there, Rouse and her defense — which turned two double plays in the game — slammed the door.

It was only the second time all season that Martin County ace Erica Sturgill allowed nine hits in a game. The Hawks scratched out those nine knocks without striking out more than three times all night.

“They’re doing all the little things right,” Miller said after the game. “I’m just thankful to sit back and watch them do what they’re doing.”

One Series to Glory

North Lenoir (now 22-3) has ripped through the playoffs as the ultimate spoiler. They knocked off No. 2 Roanoke Rapids, No. 7 Camden County, and now No. 3 Martin County — all on the road.

Now, they face South Granville — a No. 4 seed who just eliminated top-seeded Midway — in a best-of-three East Regional Final.

Four rounds. Four wins. One dream.