EDENTON – Ackerman Grace and Stephen Umphlett combined to pitch a four-hitter here Tuesday.

Their effort on the mound combined with a nine-run outburst by the junior team of American Legion Post 102 led the Ahoskie-based team to a 9-0 victory.

Post 102 opened the scoring with a single run in the top of the first frame.

With one out, Bryan Merritt walked, Erick Ortiz singled and Brandon Terry drew a free pass to load the bases. Merritt scored on a bases-loaded walk to Tyler Small for the 1-0 lead.

Ahoskie added another run in the top of the fifth.

Merritt walked, stole second and went to third on Terry single to left. Terry then stole second. Ackerman Grace delivered Merritt on an RBI-groundout to make it 2-0.

Post 102, however, broke the game open in the sixth inning when they plated five runs to surge ahead 7-0.

Tyler Jones walked to start the inning off. He went to second on a wild pitch and third on an Austin Hurdle groundout. Jones scored on a Ryan Weaver RBI-single to left. Jahleel Fleetwood then walked and stole second to put runners at second and third before a Merritt walk loaded the bases.

Ortiz delivered Fleetwood and Weaver with a two-run double to right-center and then Merritt scored on a wild pitch. Ortiz came around to score on a Grace RBI-single that made it 7-0.

Ahoskie then added its final two runs in the top of the seventh stanza.

Everette Sawyer and Umphlett each drew walks before Weaver singled to load the bases. Sawyer scored on a Merritt RBI-groundout and Umphlett came home on an Ortiz single to left to establish the 9-0 final.

Grace pitched five innings, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out seven in picking up the victory. Umphlett pitched the final two innings allowing no runs on two hits and striking out three.

Post 102 collected nine hits with Ortiz leading the way with three hits and three RBIs. Weaver also had three hits and added one RBI. Grace recorded one hit with two RBIs.

“This was a good way to start conference play,” Post 102 skipper Brandon Matthews said. “Grace threw the ball well and Umphlett came in and shut them down.

“We had timely hitting and it was a great team effort,” the coach added. “Now we will try to get better and take it one game at a time.”

Ahoskie improved to 3-4 with the victory and 1-0 in conference play. They will host Windsor Monday at 7 p.m. Post 102 will then play at home Wednesday against Currituck. First pitch for that contest is 7 p.m.