LELAND — Hamlet Post 49 suffered a mercy-rule loss to Brunswick Post 543 on the road Monday.
Two days after mounting a nine-run comeback win, Hamlet couldn’t overcome another slow start against Brunswick.
Post 49 fell 11-1 in five innings during the Area 2 conference game.
“It was not our night,” head coach Chip Gordon said. “But we will have a short memory and move on and get ready to play again on Tuesday.
“That’s the good thing about baseball — there is always tomorrow.”
Hamlet had just one hit and six total base runners in the loss. Cameron Way accounted for the team’s hit and lone RBI in the top of the first inning.
Leadoff batter Tristan Hunt drew one of his team-high two walks to start the game, and moved to second base following an error.
Way dug in two at-bats later and connected for an RBI base hit after fouling off four straight pitches. The ball landed in the center field grass, giving Hunt the chance to score.
Brunswick responded with four runs in the bottom of the first, and added four runs in the second to take an 8-1 lead.
Ra’Nik Little and Way drew walks in the top of the third, but both runners were stranded. Jake Clemmons reached via a base on balls an inning later and was left on base following a fly out.
Post 543 added a run in the bottom of the fourth and Hunt became Hamlet’s final base runner in the top of the fifth.
An RBI double and a bases-loaded walk in the bottom half of the fifth secured the 10-run win for Brunswick.
Post 49 (9-6) will look for a quick turnaround and return to the win column against Port City Post 545 on Tuesday.
The game will be played at E.A. Laney High School in Wilmington and will begin at 7 p.m.
