AHOSKIE – Weather turned out to be the ‘tenth-man&uot;, but not for Ahoskie’s Post-102’s American Legion junior baseball team Sunday as they split a double-header against Wilson Post-13’s junior team.

Ahoskie took the first game 10-8 as Travis Ellis was 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored. John Hunter was 3-for-5 with three RBI’s including a two-run smash over the left field fence and a double.

Cooke was 3-for-4 with three RBI’s and three runs scored. Edward Joyner doubled and scored a run. Patrick Dilday was 1-for-2 with two RBI’s and he scored. Zeek Williams and Brad Miller also scored.

In the first, Ellis led off with a walk, stole second and scored on Cooke’s RBI single. Hunter then gave Ahoskie a 3-0 lead with his homerun. Joyner then doubled and later scored on a Montario Hunter sacrifice fly.

In the second inning, Ellis led off with a triple to right-center. Cooke singled Ellis home.  With two outs, Williams reached on an error and Dilday doubled home Cooke and Williams.  Warren drove in Warren drove in Williams with an RBI single.

In the third inning, Miller was hit by a pitch, Ellis walked, Cooke singled home Miller then Hunter singled in Ellis for a 10-0 lead.

Wilson would come back to score eight runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but the rally fell short and Ahoskie prevailed for the 10-8 final.

Game-two was a non-conference game and in the end was  cooled off by Mother Nature as Ahoskie lost,  6-5, as the game was called off in the top of the sixth by lighting.

At the time Ahoskie was threatening with Miller on third, Ellis on second and with Cooke, John Hunter and Joyner coming to bat (nine RBIs on the day for that trio). After waiting 30 minutes and more lighting in the area the game was called.

Ellis was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Joyner was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. John Hunter was 1-for-2, with two RBIs and a run scored. Miller walked twice and scored. Ellis pitched four innings; Miller pitched the fifth and received the hard luck loss.

In the first inning, Ellis singled up the middle, Hunter walked and Joyner drove Ellis in with an RBI single to left.

In the third inning Miller walked, Ellis reached on an error and Cooke loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. Hunter then singled in Miller and Ellis giving Ahoskie a 3-1 lead, but Wilson came back to tie it in the bottom of the third.

In the fourth, with two outs Miller was on second via a fielder’s choice, Ellis singled up the middle but Miller was thrown out at home for the third out.

Cooke singled to open the fifth inning, but he was forced out at second on John Hunter’s fielder’s choice, Joyner singled advancing Hunter to third, Joyner took second on the throw. Williams then singled home Hunter and Joyner giving Ahoskie a 5-3 lead.

But back came Wilson, and Post-13 took the lead in the bottom by taking advantage of a pair of walks, a hit batter and a double for a 6-5 lead.

In the top of the sixth with bad weather approaching, Miller walked, Ellis then doubled sending Miller to third. With Cooke getting ready to bat, Post 13 changed pitchers but before Cooke received a pitch the game was stopped due to rain.

&uot;We came out and jumped all over Wilson in that first game,&uot; said Post 102 coach Dave Ellis afterward.  &uot;Brandon wasn’t as sharp as he’s been, but he pitched well and Travis, Austin and John were on base all night.&uot;

The victory in the first game gave Ahoskie four conference wins in upping their record to 11-6 and 4-2 in league play. 

Ahoskie will return to action tomorrow night (Wednesday) at home at Hertford County High School field with a double-header against Rocky Mount Post-58.  First game will begin at 5:45 p.m.