Post 58 hitters got the leadoff Runner on in the first six innings. By the seventh the game was well in hand and Post 58 wins game one of the best three of five series with Kinston 10-2. Game two of this series is Wednesday night at Kinston High School at 7.00pm.
Jeremy Sloop pitched the best game of the season pitched by a Post 58 pitcher going eight innings allowing four hits , walked only that lead off batter and struck out five. Sloop probably could have pitched the ninth but there was no need and Hank Jones brought on Bill Clark who retired Kinston in order in the ninth. Taking Sloop out after eight did allow the crowd to show their appreciation for his effort when I announced his line score at the top of the ninth once Clark came in the game.
I said that Sloop retired 11 batters in a row after the first two got on base by that time Post 58 batters had retaken the lead in the bottom of the second. Spencer Bell lead off the second with a single, Mike Smith Walked and Cameron Ramsey knocked a double to drive in two. Ramsey would score on a sac fly by Collins Cuthrell.
Post 43 pitching helped Post 58 out by walking 12 batters and uncorked seven wild pitches. Thomas Berry opened the fifth with a double and scored on a single by Spencer Bell who was the only Post 58 hitter to get two hits in the game.
Post 58 blew the game open in the fifth after Tyler Clark drove in two runs with a single and Collins Cuthrell with an rbi single. Two other Runs crossed home on pitches that traveled until they hit the backstop. 58 closed out their scoring in the sixth after Kyle Norville lead off with a double and scored on a sac fly by Spencer Bell.
Tyler Clark, Collins Cuthrell, Spencer Bell and Cameron Ramsey had two rbi's a piece. Post 58 had only nine hits but 12 others reached by by free passes. Jeremy Sloop only had to pitch out of the stretch for six batters reached base, but after the first Sloop was in complete control for Hank Jones's Post 58.
Post 58 had an 11 game winning streak during the regular season. Since that streak was broken they have reeled off eight wins in a row including 5-0 in the playoffs. It is their 20th win on the season with just five losses.
This win put Post 58 two wins from returning the the State American Legion State Tournament this year being played in Asheboro. The winner of this series still plays one more series before the state tournament but both teams will be already qualified for the State Tournament.
