Post 13 hammered by Pitt Co. in Area I playoff opener

GREENVILLE — Not scoring after loading the bases with one out in the first inning bothered Wilson American Legion head coach Matt Ballance Tuesday night

With the opportunity for a big inning in the second, Post 13 plated its only run instead of two, maybe three runs, Ballance was left uneasy — with good reason. In the opener of best-of-5 series in the semifinals of the Area I East Division playoffs, Post 13 was humbled 15-1 by No.2-seeded Pitt County Post 39. The contest was halted after Wilson’s at-bat in the top of the fifth inning because of the10-run lead rule.

Game 2 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday in Fleming Stadium. After Game 1, Ballance remained undecided on his Game 2 starting pitcher.

Post 13 was limited to four hits. Pitt County, in defeating Wilson for the third time without a loss this season, managed just eight hits, but benefited from 11 walks and three hit batsmen from Post 13 pitchers.

The fourth consecutive loss left Wilson with a 14-9 record.

“I really didn’t like the way we handled it,” the dejected Ballance said. “It seemed like it didn’t bother the entire group like it did some of the others.”

Instead of a close game after two innings, Pitt County owned a 6-1 cushion with a three-spot each of the first two innings. Post 39 erupted for seven runs in the fourth and completed the assault with a pair in the bottom of the fourth.

With the score 6-1, Post 39’s Jacob Scott slammed a three-run double.

Wilaon, the No. 3 seed, scored when catcher Ryan Bass and outfielder Marcus Love each drew a walk; Bass stole third base and darted home when the Post 39 third baseman could not handle the catcher’s throw.

“I didn’t think we hit the ball that poorly,” Ballance said, “but we hit it right at somebody. We were getting under the ball and popping it up instead of squaring it up.

“Pitt County didn’t really hit the ball hard, but they were a tough out. They took advantage of what we gave them. And we gave them a lot of free bases.”

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Coates, the starter, took the loss, allowing 6 runs in 1 2/3 innings. Tyson Foster and Reid Willoughby worked in relief. Matthew Conway, who started and lasted 4 2/3 innings, claimed the win for Pitt County.

Center fielder Aydn Gooding paced the Post 13 offense with a 2-for-2 showing. Ryan Bass and Mason Sasser each batted 1-for-2. Post 39’s top hitter was Mason Hobbs at 3 for 4.

The cliche: “There’s always tomorrow night” still applies, and Ballance noted: “We can bounce back.”

Score by innings:

Post 13 010 00 — 1

Post 39 337 2x — 15

W-Matthew Conway 4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO. L-Tyler Coates 1 2/3 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 SO.

LEADING HITTERS-Wilson: Aydn Gooding 2-2, Ryan Bass 1-2, R; Mason Sasser 1-2. Pitt County: Mason Hobbs 3-4, RBI, 2 R; Rakeem Williams 2-3, RBI; Jacob Scott 1-1, 2B, 3 RBIs.

The post Post 13 hammered by Pitt Co. in Area I playoff opener first appeared on Restoration NewsMedia .