PHOTOS: Post 49 vs. Wilmington, Area 2 Championship

HAMLET — Down but never out was the mantra for the Hamlet American Legion baseball team late during Monday’s playoff game.

Trailing by two runs and down to its final three outs, Post 49 rallied to defeat Wilmington Post 10 in eight innings by a final score of 7-6.

The victory secured Hamlet’s title as the Area 2 Conference champions, its first since returning to the field in 2021.

A pair of bases-loaded walks drawn by Jacob Williams and Maddox Locklear helped tie the game 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh.

A 1-2-3 top of the eighth from Evan Hodges on seven pitches paved the way for a walk-off RBI single from JD Scarbrough just two batters into the home half. Hodges, who drew a leadoff walk, scored the game-winning run.

James Eason had three singles and Isaac Hinshaw had two base knocks, combining for five of the team’s eight hits.

Hamlet (23-5) will play Union County Post 535 (20-11) Saturday to start its bid at the North Carolina state tournament. First pitch from Cherryville High School is set for 10 a.m.

Below are photos from Hamlet’s Area 2 Conference championship victory, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.