Mar 26

Mar 26 South Lenoir Erupts for 13-Run Inning, Remains Unbeaten and No. 1 in RPI with 21-10 Win

South Lenoir Erupts for 13-Run Inning, Remains Unbeaten and No. 1 in RPI with 21-10 Win

South Lenoir continued its dominant start to the season last night, exploding for a 13-run fourth inning in a 21-10 win over Richlands. The victory moves the Blue Devils to 7-0 and keeps them positioned as the No. 1 team in the state in RPI, the sole factor used for playoff seeding.

Through seven games, South Lenoir has backed that ranking with consistent production on both sides. Entering the matchup, the Blue Devils were hitting .302 as a team (48 hits, 34 RBIs) while their pitching staff held a 1.67 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 42 innings.

Early Momentum Swings

Richlands opened the scoring in the first inning, taking advantage of a defensive error to go up 2-0. South Lenoir responded in the bottom half, tying the game behind production from Austin Clements and Christian Wooten.

The Wildcats regained the lead in the third inning, going up 4-2 after capitalizing on another error and a timely hit. South Lenoir answered immediately with a five-run third inning to take an 8-4 lead. Holden Barnett delivered the key swing, driving in three runs with a triple.

Fourth Inning Separation

The game broke open in the fourth inning.

South Lenoir scored 13 runs on 12 hits, turning a close game into a 21-4 advantage. The inning featured contributions throughout the lineup:

Brylon Canady singled in two runs
Holden Barnett added another RBI hit
Noah Rouse doubled in two runs
Gage Howard, Reed Davis, and Spencer Stocks each recorded RBI hits
Multiple hitters reached base as the lineup turned over

South Lenoir finished the game with 18 hits, 21 runs, and 21 RBIs, along with 7 walks and 4 stolen bases.

Individual Performances

Several players continued strong early-season trends:

Noah Rouse (Sr.): 4-for-5, 3 RBIs, 2 runs (entered game hitting .389)
Holden Barnett (Sr.): 6 RBIs (entered game hitting .357, team leader in RBIs)
Gage Howard (Sr.): 3 hits, 2 RBIs (.286 entering game)
Reed Davis (Sr.): 2-for-4, RBI (.455 entering game, team-high 10 hits)
Brylon Canady (So.): 2 hits, 3 RBIs
Austin Clements (Jr.): 2 hits, RBI (.294 entering game)
Tanner Jones (Jr.): 3 runs, 2 walks (.500 entering game)

As a team, South Lenoir now has 66 hits and 55 RBIs through seven games.

Pitching Overview

Holden Barnett started on the mound, working 4.0 innings, allowing 3 hits and 4 runs (1 earned) with 2 walks and 1 strikeout.

Richlands pushed across six runs in the fifth inning, aided by 7 walks issued by South Lenoir pitching, but the early offensive surge proved more than enough.

Pitching entering the game: