By Jessica Wagner

Staff Writer

Although the third round of the state playoffs match up between Duplin-Sampson American Legion and Post #10 was canceled at 8:08 p.m. due to inclement weather, the team was able to take a five run lead over Wilmington’s Post #10, making the score after three complete innings, 7-2.

The top of the first started with Post #10 at bat first.

Scott Coleman hit the plate first, and was able to take his base after Duplin-Sampson pitcher Mike Skinner threw four balls.

Coleman was followed by Nick Malter, who hit a high ball to left field and was out. Jordan Betts, however, hit a double and gained an RBI off Coleman making the score at the top of the first, 0-1, Post #10.

The other score of the night came off Betts after Ryan Lagrange hit a single to first.

By the bottom of the first, the score was 0-2, Post #10, when Duplin-Sampson’s Kevin Norris started the inning off big with a home run over center field.

Caleb Hall followed Norris, however, was out at first.

During the bottom of the first, Kyle Herring took his base; Braxton Lewis hit another home run, gaining two RBIs and making the score 3-2; Brandon Thigpen took his base; Garrett Knowles took his base; and both Wiley Jackson and Hunter Jenkins got the final outs for the inning.

While Knowles was at bat, Thigpen stole second and third, and while Jackson took the plate, Thigpen was able to steal home, making the score 4-2.

With the score now 4-2, Duplin-Sampson, Post # 10 hit the plate again with hopes of coming back, however, they were unsuccessful.

During the top of the second, only one batter was able to earn a run.

The bottom of the second was another scoring inning for Duplin-Sampson, bringing in two runners to make the score 6-2.

Leading hitters for this inning were Hall with a single; Lewis with a double and two RBIs off Jeremy Thomas, who took his base at the top of the lineup, and Hall.

As the clouds began to roll in over Clinton High School during the top of the third, Duplin-Sampson took the field and was able to get Malter, Betts and Justin Jomers out consecutively to end the inning with the score still 6-2.

The bottom of the third allowed Duplin-Sampson to score one additional run after Jackson hit a double to center field. He was able to bring in Knowles who hit a single at the top of the lineup.

Just as the top of the fourth was about to kick off, lightening struck around the field and the game was immediately called.

Duplin-Sampson will rematch Post #10 Saturday, July 18, in Wilmington at Legion Stadium. They will play a double header starting at 5 p.m.

It should be duly noted that Duplin-Sampson will automatically advance to the state finals slated for July 24-July 29 at East Carolina University.

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at 910-592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@intrstar.net