HobbsDailyReport.com
BELMONT – Luke Bumgarner had three hits – one a grand slam – and Grant Tilley also hit a home run, sparking the Gaston Braves’ 7-2 victory over Hickory Post 48 on Thursday night in American Legion baseball at South Point High.
Bumgarner went 3-for-3 in support of winning pitcher Cam Hilton as Hickory lost back-to-back games after having won three games in a row.
The Braves had an early 2-0 lead but Hickory scored two runs in the fourth inning – with Jacob Fuller’s fielder’s choice scoring Bryce Stober and Eli Moser – for a 2-all tie.
Gaston scored five runs in the fifth inning, capped by Bumgarner’s grand slam.
Jake Speaks took the loss for Hickory, 4-6 heading into next week’s four-game schedule.
Post 48 will help play host to a PrepBaseballReport (PBR) event on Monday at Henkel-Alley Field at the Legion Fairgrounds in Newton (https://hobbsdailyreport.com/american-legion-baseball/legion-baseball-prep-baseball-report-coming-to-east-gaston-also-henkel-alley-field/)
Hickory plays Lincoln County at East Lincoln High on Tuesday at 7 p.m. before facing Lincolnton on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Legion Fairgrounds in Newton.
Post 48 meets Burnsville on June 16 for a doubleheader at Henkel-Alley Field (2 p.m.) and entertains Mocksville (7 p.m.) on June 17.