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After a hard-luck loss in the season opener, North Davie’s baseball team used a late explosion to beat Ellis.

The Wildcats opened the season by hosting Watauga on April 19. They led 2-0 through four innings and 2-1 through six. But they collapsed in the sixth and lost 6-2.

“It was a heartbreaker,” coach Trevor Gooch said.

Starting pitcher Coy James showed off his swing-and-miss stuff for three shutout innings, giving up no hits and offsetting three walks with seven strikeouts.

Alas, Watauga scored against three straight relievers, including five runs in the top of the sixth to take a stunning four-run lead. North’s fourth pitcher of the game, Tucker Hobbs, held the visitors scoreless over 1.1 innings, although the damage had been done.

North did not have a lot to cheer about offensively. Brady Marshall (2-for-3, RBI) and Cameron Owens (1-3) had the hits.

ND 15, Ellis 6

The county rivalry game at Ellis on April 22 was a serious battle before a huge North uprising in the sixth and seventh, resulting in a lopsided win for the Wildcats.

Marshall got North going early with a three-run homer in the top of the first. But Ellis showed plenty of heart, taking a 5-3 lead in the third. North jumped to a 6-5 lead in the fourth, but Ellis tied it at 6-6 in the fifth.

North took control for good in the sixth, scoring five runs. That was just the start of its tidal wave as it tacked on four more in the seventh.

Marshall was 2 for 4 with four RBIs, including a double. North got two hits from Ryley Shermer, Ty Goodson, Carson Queen and Hunter Potts. James went 1 for 3 with three walks and four runs as the Wildcats compiled 16 hits and 15 stolen bases.

“It was a big county win,” Gooch said. “It was a tight game until the sixth. Hats off to coach (Joe) Brunelli for having his (Ellis) players ready to play.”

Although Marshall gave up several runs in 3.1 innings, he only allowed one hit and racked up eight Ks. Middle reliever Hobbs got the win after shutting Ellis down for 1.1 innings, with three of his four outs being strikeouts. Queen closed and fanned five in 2.1 innings.

“Tucker shut the door for us,” Gooch said.