Roxboro Community softball finds rhythm to force G3 with North Duplin in 2A final

DURHAM, N.C. — When a team that averages 12.3 runs per game, you won’t often get two cold days in a row. 

After a 4-3 loss in Game 1, Roxboro Community School softball’s bats were dialed in for Game 2 of the 2026 N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A state championship series Thursday morning at Smith Family Stadium at Duke University.

Despite a late surge by North Duplin, the Bulldogs (24-4) defeated the Rebels (19-3), 10-6, to force a winner-takes-all Game 3 slated for approximately a 5 p.m. start in Durham.  

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RCS won, but the Rebels struck first with a triple from UNC-Charlotte signee Lilly Fulghum that flirted with jumping over the wall, but bounced off right of center to help score one. North Duplin may have taken an early lead, but that didn’t last long.

When it was RCS’ turn in the box, the frustration of the previous loss was thoroughly vented. Junior Lenoir-Rhyne commit Katie Mann hit a leadoff single up the middle. Then, a well-placed, short bunt by Karlie Barringer followed by a subsequent steal by the junior put two in scoring position.

North Duplin’s pitcher Gracelyn Higginbotham succeeded in striking out RCS senior slugger Karrie Obie — who entered the series slashing 0.644 — but that only delayed the offensive display by the ‘Dogs. On the next at-bat, sophomore Lexi Powell sent the ball just over the outstretched glove of the right fielder to score both runners with a double.

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Then, senior Presley Leonard put the exclamation mark on the first inning with a two-run bomb to left to put RCS ahead, 4-1.

Obie bounced back in the second inning to add to the RCS lead with an RBI double. The Rebels returned that favor in the top of the third. Fulghum stepped to the plate with two in position. She popped one up toward right but it hooked foul and stayed in the park, where it was caught for an out. It allowed the runner to score from third, but given Fulghum’s hitting potential, it was an obstacle dodged by RCS.

Again, RCS answered in the next frame. Freshman Karsyn Dodson got on base with a bunt and baited the defense to throw her out at second, allowing the runner from third to score. That made it 6-2, and RCS continued to pile onto its lead in the fifth inning. Mann hit a leadoff double, stole third and scored on a wild pitch. Finally, Bulldog sophomore Leah Griffin scored two thanks to a combination of fielder's choice and an error on the throw to first. With a 9-2 lead, RCS settled comfortably into the back half of Game 2.

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After four innings, North Duplin senior Aby Spence relieved Higginbotham, who gave up nine hits and five earned runs in the cirlce.  Spence walked two in the fifth and an error loaded the bases. Obie seized the opportunity with a sacrifice fly that nearly left the stadium to walk off the game with a 10-run mercy rule. Instead, the game continued into the sixth inning with RCS ahead 10-2.

Fulghum offered a late rebuttal for the Rebels with savvy baserunning to steal third and then home in the top of the sixth. A few wild pitches late in the frame helped create opporetunity for North Duplin, too. Eventually another run scored to make it 10-4.

In the seventh a trio of hits produced a pair of runs for the Rebels, however, it wasn't enough to tear away the RCS armor. The Bulldogs closed the seventh with a double play and a 10-6 win.

The Bulldogs, which are making their first state championship appearance in program history, are seeking the first title in any sport for the school. Meanwhile, North Duplin is making its third-ever appearnace and first since finishing runner-up in 2023. The only title for the Rebels came in 2015.

North Duplin needs extras to down Roxboro Community in 2A softball G1

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