RICHMOND COUNTY — The Ellerbe and Hamlet middle school baseball and softball teams also kicked off their week Monday, but all four teams suffered losses.
Ellerbe baseball unravels late at West Hoke
Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning on the road at West Hoke Middle School, the Ellerbe Wildcats held a 9-4 lead over the host Tigers. In the final two bottom half innings, West Hoke would take advantage of some Ellerbe miscues to win 10-9.
In the home half of the sixth, the Tigers got three runs back, all of which were unearned. An inning later, five Ellerbe errors in the final half frame allowed West Hoke to score the game-winning run.
Eighth grader Jullian Cline was credited with the loss, tossing 2.1 innings of relief. He allowed six runs on one hit, while striking out three batters and walking three. Fellow eighth grader Brycen Goodwin started on the hill for the Wildcats, going four innings, and giving up four runs with six punchouts.
At the dish, Goodwin led the Wildcats with a 2-for-4 performance. Also collecting base hits were Vance Goodwin and Mason Murray. Allen Adeimy’s team saw its record fall to 2-4, and will return to play on Thursday at East Hoke Middle School (4 p.m.).
Lady Wildcats run-ruled by Lady Tigers
In softball action, the Lady Wildcats lost to West Hoke 22-6. Collecting hits on the afternoon were Ally Maynor, Cassie Locklear and Nadira Brown. The Ellerbe softball team will also play East Hoke on Thursday (4 p.m.).
Hamlet softball suffers first loss at Carver
Monday’s softball game at Carver Middle School between the Lady Red Rams and Lady Eagles was a matchup of the two remaining unbeaten Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference teams.
Behind a one-hit shutout performance by pitcher Sidney Dial, the Lady Eagles blanked Hamlet 6-0 to earn their SEMSAC-leading sixth win of the year. Getting the lone hit for Mike Way’s Lady Red Rams was eighth grader Quston Leviner, who hit bloop shot inside the first-base line.
The loss was Hamlet’s first of the season, as it now sits with a 5-1 overall record. The Lady Red Rams will look to return to the win column on Thursday when they travel to Spring Hill Middle School on Thursday (4 p.m.).
Red Rams no-hit by Hatcher at Carver
The Hamlet baseball team also entered Monday’s contest at Carver undefeated on the season, but saw its winning streak stunted behind a no-hit performance by Alex Hatcher.
Hatcher, who also threw a no-no against Rockingham Middle School last week, saw his team’s bats explode to roll to a 15-0 win. The Red Rams (5-1) will also face Spring Hill on Thursday (4 p.m.).
No scores were reported for Cordova Middle School. Game information provided by Allen Adeimy, Deon Cranford and Mica Way. To report scores and game information, email sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com.
