Local middle school sports continued throughout Richmond County and across the Sandhills late last week.
Red Rams continue undefeated start
Hosting Spring Hill Middle School, the Hamlet baseball team rolled to a 9-1 win. Evan Hodges pitched a complete game and struck out seven batters on three hits.
Hamlet led 2-1 after two innings, and Hodges recorded two RBIs in the bottom of the fourth with a hit to right-center. Advancing to second and third by way of stolen bases, Hodges scored on a passed ball to make it 5-1.
Capping the inning was Terande Spencer, who recorded an RBI with a hit to right scoring Hayden Wheeler to put the Red Rams up five runs after four complete.Â
In the next inning, an error allowed leadoff batter Zac Patton to reach safely, and the next batter Amer Morrison drew a walk. Drew Gause singled home Patton for an RBI and Steve James recorded an RBI single.
James advanced to second and third by stealing the bases and scored Hamlet’s final run on a passed ball.Â
Hamlet (6-0) will travel to Sandy Grove on Monday.
Ellerbe softball crushes East Hoke
Earning its second win in a row, the Ellerbe Middle School softball team rolled past East Hoke 22-1 in three innings.
The Lady Wildcats scored 17 runs in the first inning. Pitcher Carly McCormick threw 3.0 innings and allowed a leadoff hit before retiring the next nine batters, all on strikeouts.
Sending 21 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, Abby Robinson drew three walks and scored three runs. Kenley Smith had a single and a walk and crossed home one time.
Kaley Connor scored two runs and added a walk and a single, Addison Raines scored twice and collected a walk and a double, MacKenzie Hill notched a single and a walk and scored two times and also scoring twice was Addison Conner on a double and a walk.
Rounding out the big inning were Lilly Hill (two walks, two runs), Madeline Carriker (two walks, one run) and McCormick (two walks, two runs).
Ellerbe sent nine more batters to the dish in the second, adding its final five runs. Three straight walks to Raines, MacKenzie Hill and Macie King loaded the bases, and a walk to Ashton Terry scored a run.
Another walk to McCormick and a double from Emma Monroe capped the mercy-rule win for Ellerbe.
With the win, the Ellerbe softball team improved to 3-2 on the season.
Rockets fall to Anson Blue
The Rockingham Middle School baseball team suffered an 8-1 loss to Anson Middle School Blue on Thursday.
Caden Nolan pitched 6.0 innings and struck out 10 batters. Tyler McKenzie was the team’s leading hitter, going 2-for-3 at the plate.
Adding one hit apiece were Nolan, Preston Fann, Andrae Streeter, Jason Gainey and Adan King.
Now 4-3 on the season, the Rockets will play at Cordova Middle School on Monday.
Ellerbe baseball loses to East Hoke
The Ellerbe Middle School baseball team lost to East Hoke 10-0 in five innings on Thursday.
Head coach Tommy Shelton reported that Jake Richardson and Ethan Hogan both recorded one hit in the loss to the Eagles.
The Wildcats will play at Carver Middle School on Monday.
Cordova softball game delayed
The Cordova Middle School softball team’s game at Sandy Grove was postponed due to inclement weather.
Jamesyn Quick gave the Lady Cavaliers an early lead when she doubled home Amia Pegram before the rain hit.
The game was delayed in the bottom of the second inning and will be resumed on Wednesday, April 13. Cordova (2-1) will host Rockingham Middle School on Monday.
Note: Coaches Anthony Hailey, Grover McDonald, Jamie McDonald and Rebecca Wright submitted scores and details for this article. No other stats or information was reported by the time of publication.
Coaches can submit details to be published by emailing kpillar@richmondobserver.com.
