RAMSEUR — Garrett Craven and Brody Gardner combined to scatter seven hits here in Ramseur on Monday night to lead Eastern Randolph to a 6-3 triumph over Randolph County White Post 45 in Junior Legion play.
Craven worked the opening five innings for Post 81 and allowed only three hits, two runs (one earned) and six walks while striking out none.
Gardner hurled the final two frames of the contest to get the victory on the mound, yielding four hits, a run while walking none and striking out one.
Eastern Randolph fell behind 1-0 in the top of the 1st before countering with two runs behind a walk to Ethan Sheppard, and singles from Gardner, Zander Smith and Jayden Moffitt.
A single by Stephens and an RBI-triple from Smith in the bottom of the fifth sent Post 81 in front 3-1 before Post 45 answered with two runs in the top of the sixth to even the game at 3-apiece.
In the home half of the sixth, Eastern Randolph pushed across the decisive three runs to take the 6-3 victory. Trevor Foust walked with one out to get things started for the hosts before Carson Whitehead singled, Sheppard advanced both runners into scoring position with a ground out, and Gardner drove them in moments later with a single to left. Gardner later scored after a walk to Smith and an RBI-single to center by Dustin Stephens.
Stephens closed the night 2-for-3 with three RBI to pace the Post 81 offense while Smith was 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a triple, Whitehead 2-for-3, and Gardner 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
Ethan Dunlap was 2-for-3 to lead Randolph White while Allen Moran was 2-for-4.