HAMLET — An already shortened game ended even shorter than expected for the Hamlet American Legion baseball team Saturday.
In the latter half of its twin bill with Jacksonville Post 265, Hamlet won its seventh straight game behind a final score of 9-0, the longest winning streak for Post 49 since returning in 2021.
Because of the heat and Jacksonville’s eight-player roster, both games of the Area 2 doubleheader were already cut to five innings.
But following a mound visit by Post 265 with no outs and two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the third, the game came to an abrupt end.
Jacksonville’s coaching staff informed the umpires the team was forfeiting the rest of the game.
Dylan Tilson (Scotland) recorded a “perfect game” in his three innings of work on the mound to notch his second victory in as many starts this summer.
He hosed through the Post 265 lineup, striking out five of the nine batters he faced. Tilson started the game by striking out the side in order.
Post 49 followed a similar start to game two as it did in game one, scoring a run in the first before adding six runs in the second frame to take a commanding 7-0 lead. Two more runs were scored in the bottom of the third for Hamlet before Jacksonville conceded the loss. Jason Walker (Richmond) laced a one-out triple to the opposite field in the first inning. Two batters later, Isaac Hinshaw (Richmond) turned on the jets to beat out an infield single to short, plating Walker to make it 1-0. A pop out, ground out and a strikeout from Tilson made quick work for Hamlet’s defense in the second. All six of Hamlet’s second-inning runs came with two outs off starting pitcher Casey Marshburn (two innings, seven runs, four hits, four walks). James Eason (Richmond) recorded a two-RBI standup triple to make it 3-0, slicing a hot shot down the line in right field. Scoring on the play were Carter Bean (Pinecrest) and Robbie Peed (Scotland), who both drew a free pass. Walker was plunked by a pitch to extend the inning and Evan Hodges (Richmond) grew Hamlet’s lead with an RBI line drive single to left field, plating Eason. After a walk to Hinshaw, a bases-loaded walk drawn by Riley Brown (Richmond) brought in Walker. Post 49’s final two runs came courtesy of a throwing error by the catcher, who attempted to pickoff courtesy runner Landon Taylor (Richmond) at third, who was running for Hodges. Taylor scored easily on the errant throw and Hinshaw raced in from second. Brown attempted to score from first, and appeared to do so, but was called out on the relay home. A leadoff double by Bean, one of Hamlet’s six total hits and three extra-base hits, was followed by back-to-back walks by Jeremiah Ritter (Richmond) and Brady Fowler (Scotland) to load the bases in the third. Peed essentially walked off the win by barreling a two-RBI base hit on a hard ground ball to left field. Bean and Ritter scored, while Fowler and Peed moved into scoring position on the throw. At that point, time was called and Jacksonville forfeited the remaining innings. Eason and Peed both had two RBI to lead Hamlet, while Hodges, Hinshaw and Brown notched one RBI each. Triples by Eason and Walker were paired with Bean’s double and singles from Hodges, Hinshaw and Peed. Hamlet (14-4, 5-0 Area 2) will look to continue its best start to a season in four seasons with a home game Monday. Wadesboro Post 446 will visit Memorial Park, the first of three Area 2 Conference games for Post 49 next week. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
