The West Carteret Patriots delivered a commanding performance Thursday night, defeating the Southeast Alamance Stallions 7-1 in Game 2 of the NCHSAA 5A East Regional Finals at West Carteret High School. The win completed a series sweep for the Patriots, who took Game 1 on the road 5-0 on Tuesday, sending them into the 5A state championship series.
The game stayed scoreless through the first two innings, but West Carteret exploded for four runs in the third and added three more in the fifth to build an insurmountable lead. Southeast Alamance managed just one run in the sixth inning before the Patriots closed it out.
Pitching Dominance Sets the Tone Senior right-hander Caitlin Dumarce was electric in the circle for West Carteret. She threw a complete seven-inning game, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out 11 batters and issuing zero walks on only 79 pitches. Her opponent batting average was a stingy .120.
Offensive Highlights for the Patriots
- Junior Kaelyn Margoupis led the charge, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and two RBIs.
- Senior Ella Grace Rodriguez added two hits (including a double) and drove in two runs.
- Freshman Emma Jones chipped in with two RBIs.
- Other contributors included Morgan Sawyer (one hit, two runs) and Isabella Turner (one RBI).
Southeast Alamance’s lone run came on a triple by junior Ava Wheeley, who finished 1-for-2. Sophomore Katie Lloyd doubled, and senior Addison Reich singled. The Stallions were held to just three hits total.
The Patriots’ pitching and timely hitting proved too much for a Southeast Alamance squad that had dominated its regular season and early playoff path. West Carteret has now allowed just a handful of runs across its entire postseason run, showcasing a complete team effort that has the entire Carteret County community rallying behind them. Fans can expect more electric crowds and strong play as the Patriots chase a state title.
