Playoffs Start With A Bang

Coaches worry about everything but when you have played seventeen games in about twenty five days and then the last twelves days you only played in two of those days, coaches worry about rust. Post 58 coach Hank Jones may have been worried about the lay off but his players responded from the rest and pound New Bern Post 24 in the opening round of the east area American legion playoffs 14-4 in seven innings.

This team has had a habit of scoring quickly and tonight was no different. T J Tayor lead off for Post 58 with a single. The third batter Collins Cuthrell sent a pitch over the left center wall and 58 had a 2-0 lead in the first.

New Bern got one back in the top of the second on three hits but 58 responded with a lead off double from Spencer Bell and the third batter Cameron Ramsey corked a line drive down the left field line which cleared the fence and 58 has a 4-1 lead.

Kyle Norville singled to start The fourth inning, Spencer Bell laid down a bunt to get him to second and Mike Smith slammed a double to score Norville. New Bern added a run in the fifth which sent starter Jeremy Sloop to the showers as Trellis Ashley put out the fire in the fifth. Ashley gave up two runs in the sixth which cut the Post 58 lead to 5-4.

Post 58 started the sixth with a triple by Kyle Norville, Mike Smith got his second RBI of the night with a hit and then 58 plated three more runs without a hit to take a 9-4 lead after six innings.

Jeremy Trevathan mowed New Bern Down by striking out the side in the seventh. Post 58 scored in five innings and all five innings started with a leadoff hit and the seventh once again Norville lead off with a single,Bell Doubled and Mike Smith was hit by a pitch. Cameron Ramsey hit a grounder to short with the bases loaded in which Mike Smith beat the throw to second with Norville scoring. TJ Taylor singled home two runs and with a ten run lead on the line Tyler Clark stroked a triple driving in the final two runs Post 58 needed to end this game in seven inning.

Colins Cuthrell had thre RBI, T J Taylor a couple along with Tyler Clark and Mike Smith with two each. Thomas Berry had a solo rbi on a fly ball to deep center field driving home a run.

Kyle Norville led the hit parade with three. T J Taylor,Collins Cuthrell,Spencer Bell, and Mike Smith all had two hits. Cameron Ramsey's homer was his only hit along with Thomas Berry who had a single.

Jeremy Sloop got the win giving up five hits and striking out four in four and one third inning. Game two of this opening round eastern area playoffs will be Tuesday night at New Bern High School at 7.00pm. If 58 wins Tuesday they win this two of three series 2- nil. If New Bern Wins Tuesday the deciding game will be Wednesday night at Gryphon Stadium.

If Post 58 finishes up Tuesday they open the second round Friday night at home against the Post 39 from Greenville/Post 40 from Edenton series winner. Post 58 was 4-0 against both of those teams during the regular season.