Post 102 rolls
Published 12:00 am Friday, June 13, 2008
TARBORO – Ahoskie American Legion Post 102 pounded out 16 hits and rolled past Edgecombe Post 316 here Thursday night.
The Senior American Legion team picked up its first win in conference along the way thanks to the 13-5 victory.
Post 102 opened the scoring with one run in the top of the first when Aaron Hoggard hit a solo shot to left.
Edgecombe County rallied for two runs in the bottom of the same inning to surge ahead 2-1, but Ahoskie rallied shortly after.
Ryan Matthews walked, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch in the third inning. Hoggard then hit a line drive that struck the Edgecombe pitcher in the head. Matthews was tagged out on the play, but a 30-minute delay ensued while the injured performer was taken to the hospital.
When play resumed, Hoggard was on first and P.J. Schwab singled to left. John Morris was then hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Dylan Ralph delivered a two-run single to left that pushed Ahoskie out in front 3-2.
Post 316 didn't quit, however, scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth frame and then added another in the bottom of the fifth to go ahead 5-3.
Ahoskie rallied to take the lead with four runs in the top of the seventh stanza.
Eli Spruill walked and came all the way around to score on a Matthews double down the left field line. Schwab was hit by a pitch before Morris had an infield single that scored Matthews and tied the game. Schwab and Morris scored on a Kyle Hughes two-run single to left that gave Ahoskie a 7-5 lead.
Ahoskie added six runs in the top of the eighth inning.
Spruill again led off with a walk and then stole second. Matthews sent him home on an RBI-single to left. Matthews stole second and went to third on an error.
Hoggard then drew a walk and stole second before both he and Matthews scored on a Schwab two-run triple to right. Schwab then scored on a squeeze bunt by Ralph.
Hughes drew a walk and scored on a Grayson Toms RBI-triple to right. Toms scored on a Spruill single to center, giving the Post 102 squad a 13-5 win.
Brent Bowen pitched seven innings for Post 102, allowing five runs on 10 hits while striking out 10. Jonathan Brantley hurled the final two innings allowing no runs on one hit and striking out four.
Ahoskie had 16 hits led by Toms, who had five. Matthews, Hoggard, Schwab and Ralph had two hits each. Eight Post 102 players recorded at least one hit.
"Brent pitched a great game and Jonathan came in and shut them down," Post 102 Assistant Head Coach Chris Towell said. "Our defense backed them up. The team played hard. This was a big win."
Post 102 improved to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play. They will host Wilson County tonight (Saturday) at 7 p.m. and then play at Edenton Monday at 7 p.m.