Randolph County Post 45 pounded out six hits in the first inning alone during its opening game win at the American Legion World Series on Thursday.
It only managed five for the entire game Saturday. But that was still enough for the state team to remain undefeated in pool play.
Dawson Painter, Cam Morrison and Peyton Williams each drove in runs while the duo of Ryan Webb and Cam Reid limited the opposition to just a single run over seven innings to lead Randolph County to a 4-1 victory against Lewiston, Idaho at Keeter Stadium in Shelby.
Post 45 improved to 2-0 in the tournament and can clinch a spot in the tournament semifinals with a win against Bryant, Ark., in Sunday’s pool play finale.
Despite playing in its home state with the largest contingent of fans in the stands, Randolph County was the visiting team for its second straight game in the World Series. It got all the runs it needed in the top of the fifth in a rally that began with two out and nobody on.
Ninth hitter Ryan Hill and leadoff man Dalton Hammer set the table by walking before Painter singled home the first run of the game. Hammer also scored on the play on an error by the Idaho left fielder. Idaho got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, but Randolph County (40-8 overall) was able to extend its lead in the seventh on a squeeze bunt by Morrison and an RBI single by Williams.
Williams, Post 45’s second baseman, then put the finishing touches on the victory by catching a line drive for the final out after Idaho put the tying runs on base.
All of Saturday’s games were shortened to seven innings because of concerns over the weather.
