WASHINGTON – Windsor Post 37 rallied from 11 runs down, but fell one run short of breaking a three-game losing streak here Thursday as they fell to Beaufort County Post 15, 15-14, on a controversial late call.

In what turned into a wild slugfest, the two teams scored 29 runs between them on just 19 hits – nine by Windsor. The Rebels’ Lance Freeman went two-for-four and drove in five runs. Scoop Hoggard, Brandon Roberson, and Ethan Hughson also had two hits, with Trenton White getting the other safety for Post 37.

A late safe call by an umpire on a fielder’s choice play which couldn’t be reviewed accounted for the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

“Worst call I’ve ever been a part of,” groused Windsor coach Bobby Harmon. “I’m never one to blame a loss or whine/cry about a call, but that was terrible. It was definitely some “home-cooking” all night by the guys in blue. I could not be more proud of these kids and the way they battled though. I mean to come back from being down 11-0 is pretty special. Sometimes situations like this really pull a team together and that’s exactly what’s gonna happen.”

After Washington posted 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning, Windsor went to work and got seven of those runs back. Post 37 was aided by four hits and three big Beaufort County errors, to trail 11-7 after an inning and a half.

However, Post 15 tacked on three more in the bottom of the second, doubling up the Rebels and leaving Windsor in a seven-run hole, 14-7, after two innings of baseball.

Still, the Rebels fought on, getting three in the top of the third to ease back into the game, down four runs: 14-10.

For the next five innings, Miller Trowell – who came on in the second inning – was masterful on the mound, holding Washington scoreless and collecting four big strikeouts.

In the top of the seventh inning, Windsor got the four runs they needed to force extra baseball. Roberson opened with a double and Ryan Hoggard was hit by a pitch; Zach Castelloe reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Ethan Hughson reached on an error, scoring Roberson, but leaving the sacks full. Daquan Wilson and Freeman were hit by pitches in separate at-bats for two more RBI; and after Scoop Hoggard singled in a run, Post 37 had tied the game and still had the bases loaded. But a flyout ended the rally and after Miller Trowell retired Washington in order, the game went to extra innings.

Windsor went three up-and-three down in their half of the eighth, before a walk, error, a single, and the controversial fielder’s choice call at home plate crushed Windsor. It made the second time the Rebels lost to Post 15 by just one run.

“Miller was outstanding, best I’ve ever seen him throw it, and Scoop has developed into something pretty special behind the plate; catching eight outstanding innings and never let a ball touch the fence. The guys came through for us at the plate to force extra innings. We may have lost, but the Rebels just got stronger.”

Windsor (4-6, 2-3, conference) hosts Wilson today at 12 noon at Bertie High Baseball Field before they head back on the road for three games next week.