J.H. Rose baseball wins in 8th, North Duplin softball falls

Posted: May 22, 2023 / 08:19 PM EDT

Updated: May 23, 2023 / 11:53 PM EDT

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Regional play in the NC High School Athletic Association baseball and softball playoffs is being held this week to determine which teams advance to the state finals.

J.H. Rose’s baseball team took its first step to a return trip to the Class 3-A state finals with a 5-4 win over Southern Lee in eight innings on Tuesday at Guy Smith Stadium. The Rampants got the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to win it and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Rose (25-3), winners of 12 straight, will go to Southern Lee (19-9) Thursday for a 6 p.m. contest. A win would put Rose in the state final against either Oak Grove or West Henderson, the two West regional finalists.

Rose is trying to win its eighth state title (1975, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2021) and extend head coach Ronald Vincent’s list of accomplishments, which includes his 1,000th career win on April 12.

J.H. Rose tops Northern Nash, advances to 3-A regional final

Click here to get tickets and other information about the baseball regionals and state finals. The state finals will be held at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs and Burlington Athletic Stadium in Burlington.

Class 3-A East: (6) Southern Lee vs. (1) J.H. Rose

Game 1: Tuesday, J.H. Rose 5, Southern Lee 4, 8 innings
Game 2: Thursday, 6 PM @ Southern Lee
Game 3: Saturday, 6 PM @ J.H. Rose (if needed)

Softball

North Duplin saw its 11-game win streak end at home on Tuesday against East Columbus in a 9-5 loss. The win puts East Columbus (27-2), winners of nine straight, one step closer to playing for the Class 1-A state title.

The Gators host the Rebels (21-3) on Thursday at 6 p.m. If North Duplin wins, a deciding third game would be played Saturday at North Duplin.

The winner of the East Regional plays either South Stokes or Union Academy, the two teams in the West Regional final, in the state championships.

Class 1-A East: (10) East Columbus vs. (4) North Duplin

Game 1: Tuesday: East Columbus 9, North Duplin 5
Game 2: Thursday, 7 PM @ East Columbus
Game 3: TBD @ North Duplin (if needed)

Click here to get tickets and other information about the softball regional finals. The state finals are June 2-3 at N.C. State, Duke and UNC Greensboro.