HAMLET — Fortunately for the Hamlet Middle School athletics program, several teams had a successful week ahead of the statewide ban.
Red Rams soccer routes Anson
Playing on its own field, the Hamlet boys’ soccer team hosted Anson Middle School last week. Using five different goal scorers, the Red Rams blanked the Bearcats 6-0.
Samuel Hawks would lead Hamlet with a match-high two goals, while also adding an assist. Finding the back of the net one time each were JV Drake, Linden Garcia, Matthew Leggett and Noah Williams.
Drake and fellow teammate Erick Jimenez contributed to the win by each assisting on two goals. Head coach Earl Nicholson called it a “total team effort.”
Hamlet baseball knocks off Anson
The Red Ram baseball team and head coach Josh Peele also started their season with a big win, mercy-ruling Anson Orange 13-3 in six innings.
Hayden Wheeler was tasked as the Red Rams’ starting pitcher, and Peele said he “pitched a strong four innings.” Wheeler struck out five batters and allowed just three hits in the shutout.
Peele noted Wheeler, a sixth grader, did well in his middle school debut. Alan Taylor came in to close the final two innings, striking out three Bearcats and allowing one hit.
Cain Hunsucker and Tyler Graham were the Red Rams’ leading hitters, both going 2-for-3 at the dish. Hunsucker recorded the team’s only extra-base hit, a double. Jabori Douglas added a single.
Hamlet softball powers past Anson
Also earning a season-opening win was the Hamlet softball team, which put away the Lady Bearcats 15-6.
Madelynn Pearson pitched a complete game, going all seven innings and struck out five batters. She also gave up five hits in the win for head coach Alyssa Knouff’s team.
The Lady Red Rams used the power of the home run to earn the win. Katie Way went yard in her first at-bat, and later teammate Christi Jacobs also sent one over the fence.
In her next three at-bats, Way was intentionally walked, and Jacobs made Anson pay with her homer following the first free pass to Way.
Jacobs finished the game with two hits and a game-high four runs batted in. Way’s homer was her only hit, but she recorded two RBI.
Also performing at the plate were Ryelan Lyerly and Jakayla Steele, both of whom collected two hits. Steele added two RBI and Lyerly finished with one.
All of Hamlet’s programs will wait to find out when their next game will be amid the COVID-19 outbreak. No information was provided for the girls' soccer team.
