May 10, 2002, 1:02AM

Pendleton, Kingwood blank North Shore 10-0

Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle News Services

North Shore threatened at the beginning of the game with the bases loaded and just one out. But Kingwood's Lance Pendleton did what he has done all year -- hold tough, and he eventually got the win.

Pendleton fielded a one-hopper to the mound, threw home and the catcher then threw to first. North Shore got no other hits in the game as the Pendleton-led Mustangs romped 10-0 in a Class 5A Region III area game.

The teams meet again tonight at North Shore.

Pendleton (9-1) struck out four during his seven-inning stint on the mound. The Mustangs (24-7) played error-free ball.

Michael Buckalow led off with a base hit in the fourth inning and Michael Hopper followed with a triple.

Ryan Pope reached base on a catcher's error, Pendleton singled and two errors let both score.

David Hoke and J.B. Sowryda hit solo home runs to cap the rally. Sowryda went 3-for-4 getting his sixth homer of the season and added a triple. Hoke got his seventh homer.