ROBBINS — Returning to the win column Monday, the Hamlet American Legion baseball team also completed a season series sweep of an opponent.
Snapping a season-long five game losing streak, the 49ers and head coach Eric Brown defeated Moore County Post 12 by a final score of 4-2.
Playing on the road, Hamlet swept the two-game Area 3 Conference series. Post 49 opened the season with a one-run victory over Moore County on June 3.
In what proved to be another close battle on the scoreboard, Hamlet erased a one-run deficit in the middle innings and relied on the pitching of Evan Hodges (Lenoir Community College).
Tossing 6.2 innings, and only relieved due to the pitch count, Hodges was dialed in Monday. He finished with 11 strikeouts and allowed just two runs (one earned) on four hits.
Twice Hodges retired Post 12 in order, including three straight strikeouts in the second inning. Three of his four remaining full innings resulted in just four batters making it to the plate.
Inheriting two runners on base in the seventh inning and with two outs, Jabari Douglas (Johnson & Wales Community College) got the final out and the save. He faced just one batter, who lined out to right fielder Maddox Locklear (Richmond).
Locklear had a big night at the dish, leading the team with three runs batted in with one hit. Hodges helped himself out with a three-hit effort, all of which were singles.
Adding a base hit apiece as part of Hamlet’s seven total hits were Caden Nolan (Belmont Abbey College), Drew Gause (Richmond) and Julius Bowden (Richmond).
Hodges, who has been the team’s leadoff hitter the past couple games, started the top of the first with a single to left field. Hamlet loaded the bases and Hodges scored to make it 1-0 when Locklear drew a base on balls.
Moore County scored its two runs with two outs in the bottom of the third inning. Post 12 took a 2-1 advantage following runs scored on a passed ball and an error.
With two outs in the top of the fifth, Locklear delivered again, this time with a two-RBI single to give Hamlet a 3-2 lead. Locklear singled back up the middle, which brought home Hodges (leadoff single) and Gause (single) safely.
Adding an insurance run in the seventh, Hodges again led off the frame with a base hit. An error and a Nolan single loaded the bases for Gause, who grounded into a fielder’s choice double play.
Racing home from third base on the 6-4-3 double play was Hodges, which made it 4-2.
Post 49 (3-7, 3-7 Area 3) will close its regular season this week with two games against Liberty Post 81.
Game one will be at Eastern Randolph High School Wednesday, followed by the finale Thursday at home at Memorial Park. Both games will start at 7 p.m.
