RAMSEUR, N.C. — The start of Area 3 Conference play Monday saw an early lead slip away for the Hamlet American Legion Junior baseball team.
Despite scoring in the first inning, Post 49 allowed three unanswered runs in a 3-1 loss to Eastern Randolph Post 81.
Monday’s game was the second time Hamlet and Eastern Randolph have played this season, but was the official Conference 3 opener. In the first meeting, Post 49 won by 11 runs on May 21.
Post 49 led 1-0 after the first frame, but Eastern Randolph tied the game in the bottom of the second before adding two runs in the home half of the third.
A two-out single by Drew Gause in the top of the first led to Hamlet’s first run. Two batters later, with Gause on second base after Noah Stubbs was hit by a pitch, Wallace Herring connected on an RBI single to right field to make it 1-0.
Herring was also the starting pitcher for Post 49, throwing 3.2 innings. He allowed three earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
Cooper Gainey gave Hamlet a chance with his 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. He struck out a pair of batters and gave up just one hit.
Post 81 scored its three runs on a balk, a wild pitch and an RBI groundout.
Having chances to score, Hamlet stranded nine base runners in the loss, including seven in scoring position. Post 49 left runners on third base in the first and fourth innings.
All of Hamlet’s four hits were singles, including two from Gause. Herring and Jaxton Watson each had one base hit.
A busy stretch for Hamlet (3-6, 0-1 Area 3) continues Tuesday with the team’s second of three games in four days this week.
Post 49 will return home to Memorial Park and host non-conference Hope Mills Post 32 at 7 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Statistics and game information provided by Hamlet’s Game Changer.
