North Lenoir’s Austin Joyner trots around the bases after a two-run homer in the second inning of the Hawks’ 14-1 win over Eastern Wayne Tuesday in the Lenoir-Wayne Easter Tournament. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

LA GRANGE — North Lenoir wasn’t losing a second straight game at home.

The Hawks exploded late to defeat Eastern Wayne 14-1 Tuesday in the Lenoir-Wayne Easter Tournament, tying a season-high output. North Lenoir (15-5) scored 14 in victories over Havelock and Kinston in 2019, and posted 11 runs in the sixth against the Warriors (13-8) to win going away.

Hawks coach Jackson Massey said this was what the team needed after a 5-1 loss to Southern Wayne one day prior.

“We had a much better approach at the plate, executed and hit balls hard all game,” Massey said. “The defense and (starting pitcher) Trevor Sears stepped up and our approach was to not focus on what happened in the past. We knew we had this game to play, and we played well.”

The Hawks’ offensive prowess started in the second inning, where Jayden Gatling hit an RBI double, followed by Austin Joyner’s two-run blast to put the Hawks up 3-0.

“I saw a good pitch, and I told myself to be patient and get a good swing on it,” Joyner said. “I think this game gives us a lot of confidence to finish out the regular season and we did play a good team — the final score doesn’t show how good they really are.”

The Warriors did score in the bottom of the fourth on an error, but the Hawks took off in the sixth, starting with a two-run home run from Gatling. Payton Howard added a sacrifice fly before a run-scoring error and Malik Dixon RBI single made the score 8-1. Two batters later, Gatling drew a bases-loaded, two-out walk — the first of six straight from a combined three Eastern Wayne pitchers.

Gatling said the team was ready to play after Monday’s rough outing.

“We felt like we had something to prove today because everyone struggled yesterday,” Gatling said. “We underestimated (Southern Wayne) because we had beat them pretty easily the last time, and we came out flat. We didn’t want to drop a second straight game, especially at home, so we came out with a lot more intensity and got the win.”

All four teams in the Lenoir-Wayne Easter Tournament finished 1-1 with North Lenoir winning the event because the Hawks posted the most runs. North Lenoir combined for 15 runs in the two games while Eastern Wayne (9), South Lenoir (8) and Southern Wayne (7) couldn’t get to double digits.

“I think this shows the type of talent we have here in this tournament,” Massey said. “None of the teams were an easy out, band it the end of the day I’m happy we won this. The guys responded well.”

North Lenoir will host its final two regular-season games next week, playing against South Lenoir April 30 and Kinston May 2.