HIGH POINT — In a similar situation to its last time out, the Hamlet American Legion baseball team couldn’t keep a late lead Saturday.
Returning to the diamond for the first time since Tuesday, Post 49 gave up a two-run lead in the final half inning and lost in extras.
Traveling to face HiToms Post 87, Hamlet dropped its third game in a row in a 5-4 loss. It was the second straight game Hamlet came up a run short while playing free baseball.
The 49ers trailed 2-0 after the bottom of the third inning and cut their deficit in half with their first run in the top of the fifth. A three-run seventh by Hamlet put the team ahead 4-2.
Post 87 rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh and walked it off four batters into the bottom of the eighth.
Evan Hodges (Lenoir Community College) made the start on the mound and pitched seven innings for Hamlet. Only one of his four runs allowed was earned, which came on eight hits and Hodges struck out seven batters.
Pitching the eighth inning for Post 49 was Jabari Douglas (Johnson & Wales University). He walked three batters and allowed an earned run on one hit.
An error with one out in the bottom of the third was followed by a two-run home run for Post 87 to break the scoreless ball game.
Sam O’Neal (Richmond) reached on a one-out error in the fifth. Back-to-back singles by Miken Concepcion (Christ the Cornerstone Academy) and Drew Gause (Richmond) loaded the bases for Hamlet.
Helping himself out, Hodges reached on an infield single to the shortstop, which scored O’Neal to make it 2-1. Despite having the bases loaded, Hamlet’s next two batters struck out to end the threat.
Post 49 took the lead in the top of the seventh when it scored three runs, all with two outs. Getting the rally started was a single by Hodges, one of his team-high two hits, which was followed by a base hit by Caden Nolan (Belmont Abbey College).
An error off the bat of Bradley Hogan (Christ the Cornerstone Academy) allowed Hodges to score, and moved Nolan and Hogan into scoring position.
Tied 2-2, Maddox Lockler (Richmond) gave Hamlet the advantage when his line drive to right field was misplayed. The error gave Nolan and Hogan time to cross home plate safely and make it 4-2.
Post 87 got two runners on with an error and a single with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Later, with two gone, a two-RBI single knotted the score.
Hamlet was retired in order in the top of the eighth. Douglas walked the first two batters of the home half and intentionally walked the third batter.
With the bases loaded, Post 87 walked it off with an RBI infield single.
Post 49 (2-5, 2-5 Area 3) is scheduled to travel to Liberty Post 81 Tuesday. First pitch from Eastern Randolph High School is set for 7 p.m.
