FAYETTEVILLE — A postseason run that saw the Hamlet American Legion baseball team make it to the second round ended on Wednesday.
Down a game in a best-of-three game series in the Area 2 playoffs, No. 2 Post 49 saw its season conclude in a loss to No. 3 Hope Mills Post 32.
Needing a win to stay alive and force game three, the 49ers fell 9-2 and were eliminated.
An early tie was broken open with a five-run fourth inning by the Boosters. Hamlet scored a solo run in the second and another in the sixth frame.
Head coach Chip Gordon sent Tristan Hunt to the mound to start, who allowed five runs (three earned) in 3.1 innings of work. Hunt gave up three hits and added a strikeout.
Finishing the game was Ra’Nik Little, who went 2.2 innings and surrendered four earned runs on four hits, while also adding a strikeout.
Hindering Post 49’s chance to even the series was stranding a total of 12 runners on base during the game. Hamlet was patient at the plate and drew 10 walks but couldn’t produce hits when it needed to drive in runs.
Ra’Nes Little gave the 49ers a 1-0 lead with one out in the top of the second. Hitting a hard ground ball to second base, an error allowed him to reach safely and score Walker Lambeth (leadoff walk).
With two runners on, an out at the plate and a fielder’s choice ended the early threat by Hamlet.
The Boosters answered with a run in the home half, sending a runner across the plate from third during a pickoff attempt at first.
Just seven batters went to the plate for Post 49 over the next two innings, and Post 32 used a pair of two-RBI doubles and an RBI single to jump ahead 6-1 after four innings.
Hamlet left the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, and a solo homer to lead off the home half extended Hope Mills’ lead to 7-1.
Ra’Nes Little also recorded Hamlet’s final run of the game, grounding into an out at second base to score Lambeth (single) in the sixth.
Despite having two runners in scoring position with just one away, Post 49 wasn’t able to find the grass and score.
Capping the scoring for Post 32 was a two-RBI triple with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Hamlet loaded the bases again in the seventh, but a fly ball to center field ended the playoff series.
The 49ers recorded three hits in the loss — Lambeth (single), Tanner Cheek (single) and Nick DiCarlo (double). Ra’Nes Little had both RBIs and Lambeth scored both runs.
Finishing the season with a 14-10 overall record, Hamlet earned 11 more wins than a season ago, its first since 2007.
Post 49 registered an 11-8 mark against Area 2 opponents, including the playoffs.
The Richmond Observer will publish a season recap of Hamlet’s summer campaign next week.
