WINDSOR – Sometimes the one you need is the toughest one to get.

Coach Bobby Harmon told his Windsor junior American Legion baseball team prior to Monday night’s game that a win would assure Post 37 a spot in the upcoming Area-One playoffs in Manteo next week.

He also told them they were facing Dare County – the number-one team in the conference.

The Hammerheads lived up to their top billing – crushing the Rebels 14-5. Dare County maintained their hold on first place while Windsor (6-11, 3-6, conference) clung precariously to eighth-place and final playoff spot.

“I’m really at a loss for words right now regarding this team,” said an exasperated Harmon. “I have to coach better and we have to play better. That’s probably the worst display of defense I’ve ever seen. We wasted a good outing from Miller (Trowell). He definitely didn’t deserve that.”

Dare County batted around in the first inning, pasting three big runs on the board and putting Windsor in a 3-0 hole after just a half-inning of baseball. The Hammerheads added a fourth run in the top of the second and a fifth run in the top of the fourth for a 5-0 lead through three-and-a-half innings.

Windsor finally figured out Post 26’s pitcher – Isaac Reher – in the bottom of the fourth and it was the home team’s turn to do some damage. Lance Freeman, in the lead-off spot was hit by a pitch and moved to second on Scoop Hoggard’s drag bunt. Alden Cottle followed and reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Freeman, but Hoggard was forced on the play. Brandon Roberson reached on a fielder’s choice that loaded the bases. Ethan Hughson singled into the gap in right centerfield scoring Cottle, and Daniel Castelloe then reached on the inning’s third fielder’s choice when the Hammerheads couldn’t make an out. Daquan Wilson then doubled to straightaway centerfield to score Roberson, and Trenton White brought in the fourth run with a single to right field. Windsor had pulled within a run at 5-4 after four.

Post 26 added a cushion in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs to make it 7-4.

Windsor got what would be their final run in the bottom of the fifth when Hoggard was hit by a pitch, went to third on Cottle’s double to centerfield and one-out later scored on Daniel Castelloe’s ground out. The Rebels were within two at 7-5.

However, Dare County exploded for seven runs in the top of the sixth. Windsor had no answer the rest of the way and suffered the nine-run loss.

Miller Trowell started and absorbed the loss. Freeman also pitched.

White and Hoggard had two each of Windsor’s nine hits, while Wilson, Cottle, Hughson, Miller Trowell and Freeman had one hit apiece.

Windsor’s Edenton home game was rained out Tuesday and their two games with Ahoskie on Wednesday were not complete by press time. The Rebels play at Edenton tonight (Thursday) in their final road game of the regular season.