Returning to action for the first time after spring break on Thursday, the Ellerbe and Hamlet middle school baseball teams, along with the Hamlet softball team, earned a win.
Red Rams shut out Cordova
Following their first loss of the season to rival Rockingham before break, the Hamlet Red Rams responded with a big win over cross-county opponent Cordova Middle School.
The Red Rams shut out the Cavaliers 23-0, winning the game in three innings.
Hamlet used three pitchers in the game, each throwing one inning, and they combined for a no-hitter. Tristan Chavis started and struck out two batters and walked one.
Steve James tossed the second frame and retired the side in order, all on strikeouts. Evan Hodges threw the final inning and struck out two of the three batters he faced.
James and Hayden Wheeler both went 2-for-2 at the plate and Wheeler and Chavis each drove in two RBIs. Zamarion Robinson had just one hit, but it was a 3-RBI inside-the-park home run.
Adding some power was Hodges, who hammered a three-run shot to center field. Amer Morrison capped the offense with a single in his two trips.
“I’m very proud of how the guys came out and swung the bats well,” head coach Anthony Hailey said. “We were patient at the plate which allowed us to draw several walks and get runners in scoring position.
“It was good to get some of the younger guys in today and let them get some time in the field and some at-bats. With the short outings our pitchers had, they did a great job of throwing strikes and staying ahead in the count.”
Improving to 8-1, the Red Rams will play at home on Tuesday against Anson Orange.
Ellerbe picks up first win over Sandy Grove
The Ellerbe baseball team earned its first win of the season on Thursday, defeating Sandy Grove 13-8.
Colton Brown was the winning pitcher, and he collected nine strikeouts on the mound to help the Wildcats stay ahead.
Jake Richardson was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate against the Panthers, and both Ethan Hogan and Camden Williams were 3-for-4 hitting.
Now 1-8 on the season, the Wildcats will play rival Cordova at home on Monday.
Late-game scoring helps Lady Red Rams past Cordova
A scoreless softball game through the first four innings saw the Lady Red Rams break it open late against Cordova on Thursday.
Hamlet won 11-1 in six innings, scoring its first run in the fifth before scoring 10 runs in the sixth inning.
Mackenzie Quick pitched a complete game for Hamlet and struck out 13 batters, while also going 3-for-4 at the plate with a triple, double and a single.
Hamlet’s Amariyana Ingram connected for two singles and Hayden Robinson hit a homerun. Other contributors at the plate for the Lady Red Rams were Kalynn McCormick (triple), Kinsie Lyerly (single), Olivia Brown (single) and Shelby Brown (single).
Cordova’s starting pitcher Madison Hancock recorded a personal-best 11 strikeouts during the game.
The Lady Cavs were led at the plate by Jamesyn Quick, who was 2-for-3. Plating Cordova’s run was an RBI single by Arlee Goodman in the bottom of the sixth inning, bringing in Quick.
Hamlet ended its regular season with a 5-4 overall record and will await playoff seeding. Cordova (2-4) will travel to rival Ellerbe on Monday, and play Sandy Grove on Tuesday.
Note: Coaches Anthony Hailey, Tommy Shelton, Lauren Brewer and Rebecca Wright submitted scores and details for this article. No other stats or information were reported by the time of publication.
Coaches can submit details to be published by emailing kpillar@richmondobserver.com.
