LEGION BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: Gaston scores in final at-bat, nips Hickory (updated)

Caldwell County rolls at home, ousting Mint Hill in 3 games

 

By CHRIS HOBBS

HobbsDailyReport.com

NEWTON – The Gaston Braves scored in their final at-bat on Monday night to nip host Hickory 8-7 and gain a two games-to-none lead in an Area IV American Legion baseball first round series.

The Braves (14-3), the No. 2 East seed, wiped out an early 5-0 deficit to win, scoring three runs in the second inning and four in the third inning to go ahead 7-5.

Hickory (6-14), the West No. 7 seed, scored a run in the fourth inning and another in the fifth inning for a 7-all tie.

Game 3 of the series is Tuesday night at South Point High.

The Braves had eight hits – led by three from Caleb Burr (home run) and two by Gavin Blackwood while Riley Hawkins and Dylan Owenby each drove in two runs.

Hickory had 10 hits with Isaiah McDowell (Hickory) collecting three and Hayden Tabor (Fred T. Foard), Henry Stewart (Hickory) and Josh Barkley (St. Stephens) each adding two. Stewart walked twice and drove in two runs.

Parker Agosta started for Gaston, going 3 2/3 innings. He allowed six runs (three earned) and walked two and struck out two. Ethan Simmons then threw 3 1/13 innings, allowing four hits, one run (earned) with two walks and two strikeouts for the Braves.

Luke Davis (Hickory) was Post 48’s starter, working 2 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits, seven runs (all earned), walked three and struck out one. Hollis Murphis (Hickory Christian Academy) tossed 4 1/3 innings in relief, giving up three hits, one run (earned) with no walks and no strikeouts.

The Braves left three runners stranded and Hickory left seven on base.

In other Monday playoff games:

  • Henderson County at Matthews was rained out and reset for Tuesday in Matthews with the best-of-5 series tied at one game each.
  • Caldwell County, playing at home, beat Mint Hill 13-7 to complete a three-game sweep. Post 29 faces East No. 1 Queen City next in a best-of-5 that begins by Friday at Queen City.
  • Gastonia nipped visiting Burke County 3-2 to take a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 scheduled Tuesday at Shuey Field in Morganton.

AREA IV AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

FIRST ROUND (Best-of-5)

(All games 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted)

BYES

West No. 1 Cherryville (17-9, 12-2)

West No. 2 Rutherford County (14-3, 12-2)

West No. 3 Cleveland County (15-13, 9-5)

West No. 5 HENDERSON COUNTY (6-10, 6-8)

vs. East No. 4 MATTHEWS (7-11, 6-6)

Game 1, Saturday at Matthews: Matthews 10, Henderson County 7

Game 2, Sunday at Henderson County: Henderson Couny 4, Matthews 3, 8 inn

Game 3, Monday at Matthews: Postponed

Game 3, Tuesday at Matthews: Matthews 6, Henderson County 0, suspended two outs in fifth inning

Game 3, completion: Wednesday at Henderson County

Game 4: Thursday at Henderson County, 7 p.m.

Game 5, if needed: Friday at Matthews, 7 p.m.

West No. 7 HICKORY (6-12, 3-11)

vs. East No. 2 GASTON BRAVES (12-3, 10-2)

Game 1, Saturday at South Point High: Gaston Braves 11, Hickory 4

Game 2, Sunday at Hickory (Legion Fairgrounds, Newton): Postponed, rain

Game 2, Monday at Hickory (Legion Fairgrounds, Newton): Gaston Braves 8, Hickory 7

Game 3, Tuesday at South Point High: Gaston Braves 5, Hickory 4, suspended, top of fifth inning

Game 3, completion: Wednesday at Hickory (Legion Fairgrounds, Newton)

Game 4, if needed: Wednesday at Hickory (Legion Fairgrounds, Newton), following Game 3 completion

Game 5, if needed: Thursday at Gaston Braves, 7 p.m.

East No. 5 MINT HILL (5-7, 5-7)

vs. West No. 4 CALDWELL COUNTY (8-9, 6-8)

Game 1, Saturday at M.S. Deal Stadium, Granite Falls: Caldwell County 2, Mint Hill 2, fourth inning, suspended

Game 1, completion, Sunday at Mint Hill: Caldwell County 10, Mint Hill 9

Game 2, Sunday at Mint Hill: Caldwell County 4, Mint Hill 3

Game 3, Monday at M.S. Deal Stadium, Granite Falls: Caldwell County 13 Mint Hill 7, Caldwell County wins series 3-0

West No. 6 BURKE COUNTY (6-10, 6-8)

vs. East No. 3 GASTONIA (8-7, 8-4)

Game 1, Saturday at Gastonia: Gastonia 5, Burke County 1

Game 2, Sunday at Shuey Field, Morganton: Burke County 6, Gastonia 5

Game 3, Monday at Gastonia: Gastonia 3, Burke County 2

Game 4, Tuesday at Shuey Field, Morganton: Burke County 9  Gastonia 65

Game 5: Wednesday at Gastonia, 7 p.m.

SECOND ROUND (Best-of-5, July 8-12)

(All games 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted)

West No. 1 CHERRYVILLE (17-9)

vs. East No. 4 MATTHEWS-West No. 5 HENDERSON COUNTY WINNER

Game 1: Friday, July 8 at Cherryville

Game 2: Saturday, July 9 at Matthews or Henderson County

Game 3: Sunday, July 10 at Cherryville

Game 4, if needed: Monday, July 11 at Matthews or Henderson County

Game 5, if needed: Tuesday, July 12 at Cherryville

West No. 3 CLEVELAND COUNTY (15-13) vs.

East No. 2 GASTON BRAVES-West No. 7 HICKORY WINNER

Game 1: Friday, July 8 at site TBD

Game 2: Saturday, July 9 at site TBD

Game 3: Sunday, July 10 at site TBD

Game 4, if needed: Monday, July 11 at site TBD

Game 5, if needed: Tuesday, July 12 at site TBD

East No. 1 QUEEN CITY (13-1) vs.

West No. 4 CALDWELL COUNTY (11-9)

Game 1: Friday, July 8 at Queen City

Game 2: Saturday, July 9 at Caldwell County

Game 3: Sunday, July 10 at Queen City

Game 4, if needed: Monday, July 11 at Caldwell County

Game 5, if needed: Tuesday, July 12 at Queen City

West No. 2 RUTHERFORD COUNTY (14-3)

vs. West No. 6 BURKE-COUNTY-East No. 3 GASTONIA WINNER

Game 1: Friday, July 8 at Rutherford County

Game 2: Saturday, July 9 at Burke County or Gastonia

Game 3: Sunday, July 10 at Rutherford County

Game 4, if needed: Monday, July 11 Burke County or Gastonia

Game 5, if needed: Tuesday, July 12 at Rutherford County

SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7, July 14-20)

Cherryville-Matthews/Henderson County winner vs. Cleveland County-Gaston Braves-Hickory winner

Queen City-Caldwell County winner vs. Rutherford County-Burke County/Gastonia winner

CHAMPIONSHIP (July 21-23)

Format to be announced

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