HAMLET — The Hamlet American Legion baseball team started the postseason with a mercy-rule win Monday.
No. 1 Hamlet defeated No. 4 Moore County Post 12 by a final score of 15-5 in six innings to start the Area 2 Conference playoffs.
Jason Walker pitched five innings and struck out six batters in what ended in his team-leading fifth victory of the season.
Maddox Locklear had two hits and drove in three runs, with Isaac Hinshaw also collecting two hits.
James Eason scored three runs and also stole four bases for Hamlet. Post 49 broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the third and opened the game to a 12-4 advantage.
Hamlet scored its final three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to end it early. Evan Hodges scored on a passed ball for the final tally.
With the win, Hamlet extended its winning streak to 11 straight games.
Hamlet (18-4) will play Moore County (3-13) at Union Pines Tuesday in game two. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
Below are photos of Monday’s playoff win, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
