HAMLET — Unable to right the ship Wednesday, the Hamlet American Legion baseball team couldn’t even its series with Moore County Post 12.
After starting Area 3 Conference play the night before with a one-run loss, Post 49 struggled at the plate again in an 11-0 defeat.
The shutout loss marked the first time since June 6, 2024 that Hamlet wasn’t able to put any runs across the plate (27 games).
Moore County took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning and added three more runs in the top of the sixth. Post 12 recorded its final five runs in the seventh frame.
Hamlet used four pitchers in the loss, starting with Evan Hodges (Richmond), who pitched four innings. Two of his three runs allowed were earned and he gave up six hits with five strikeouts.
Collin Hill (Richmond) tossed two innings of relief in the fifth and sixth frames. He allowed three earned runs on two hits with two Ks.
Contributing in the seventh inning were Brady Fowler (Montgomery Central) and Caden Nolan (Richmond). Fowler recorded the first out but was replaced after a third of an inning and two earned runs.
Nolan got the final two outs in his two-thirds of an inning, but was charged with three runs (two earned) on two hits.
Hamlet’s batters went a combined 1-for-23 Wednesday against pitchers Dawson Futrell (5 innings) and Dylan Benedict (2 innings).
Post 49’s only hit was an infield single by John Carre (North Moore) with two outs in the bottom of the second.
Drawing seven walks as a team, including three free passes to Jabari Douglas (Richmond), Hamlet stranded all of its runners on base. Hodges also reached via an error.
Hamlet (2-4, 0-2 Area 3) will have an extended break and return to play June 12 at Eastern Randolph Post 81. The Area 3 Conference game will start at 7 p.m.
The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Wednesday’s game soon.
