Post 58 garners walk-off win
Published 10:00 am Thursday, June 25, 2009
NASHVILLE – Post 58 scored the winning run here Monday night in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The late-game run was enough to lead the Rocky Mount Senior American Legion team to a 12-11 victory over Ahoskie Post 102.
“This was another tough loss for us,” said Ahoskie skipper David Ellis. “We had them on the ropes, but couldn’t close the game.”
Ahoskie opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first frame.
Travis Ellis and Edward Joyner had consecutive singles to put runners on first and second. Ellis then scored on an Aaron Hoggard RBI-single. Joyner held at third and then scored on a Gavin Mizelle RBI-fielder’s choice. Mizelle later scored on an Eli Spruill single which gave Ahoskie a 3-0 lead.
Rocky Mount, however, responded with six runs in the bottom of the fourth and took a 6-3 lead.
Ahoskie surged back ahead with six runs of their own in the top of the fifth frame.
Joe Harrell, David Brackett and Ellis had back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases. Harrell then scored on a Joyner bases-loaded walk. Hoggard then plated Zeek Williams (a runner for Brackett) and Ellis on a two-run single. A three-run homer by Mizelle also scored Joyner and Hoggard to give Ahoskie a 9-6 edge.
Rocky Mount scored one run in the bottom of the fifth and four in the bottom of the sixth as they took an 11-9 lead.
Ahoskie tied the game with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth.
Ellis walked and stole second before advancing to third on a single by Joyner. Ellis scored on a wild pitch which sent Joyner to second. Joyner then came around when Mizelle reached on an error, tying the game at 11-all.
Rocky Mount scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off homerun by Mike Williams.
Josh Morris and Chad Gurganus combined to pitch the game for Ahoskie.
Post 102 recorded 16 hits in the contest with Ellis, Spruill, Joyner and Hoggard recording three hits each. Hoggard added three RBIs during the contest. Mizelle had two hits and four RBIs.
“We hit the ball tonight,” Ellis said. “Offensively, this was our best all-around game this year, but it was our third walk-off loss this year.”
Ahoskie is now 4-14 overall and 2-5 in conference play. They travel to Wayne County for a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.