The Hobbton Wildcats saw a memorable postseason run come to an end Friday night, falling 9-0 on the road to the Rosewood Eagles in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs.
The loss concluded a strong season for Hobbton, which finished 18-5 overall and claimed the Carolina 1A Conference regular-season championship with a 10-2 conference record. The Wildcats advanced to the fourth round of the state playoffs after defeating Gates County and American Leadership Academy-Johnston in earlier postseason matchups.
Rosewood’s pitching staff proved difficult to solve throughout the night, limiting Hobbton to just four hits while striking out six batters in the shutout victory. Senior Nathan Neal, junior Ayden Lawson, sophomore Braxton McLamb and senior Kasey Lee each recorded one hit for the Wildcats.
Rosewood broke through in the bottom of the second inning with two runs before adding one in the third and another in the fifth to extend the lead to 4-0. The Eagles then used a five-run sixth inning to close out the contest and punch their ticket to the regional round.
Junior Caden Martin got the start on the mound for Hobbton and turned in a competitive outing despite the final score. Martin pitched five innings, allowing four hits and five runs, though only two were earned, while striking out five batters. He also worked around three walks. Senior Lathan Warren and sophomore Thomas Tart each saw relief action late in the game.
Rosewood was paced offensively by senior Kaeden Hinson, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two doubles. Jack Adams added a pair of hits, while Zack Tadlock drove in two runs for the Eagles.
On the mound, Rosewood’s Robbie Boren delivered a dominant relief performance, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing only two hits and striking out five. Ed Gardner opened the game with a scoreless first inning before Boren took over the rest of the way.
Although the season ended one step short of the regional round, the Wildcats pieced together one of the stronger campaigns in recent program history behind a veteran-led roster and steady pitching throughout the spring. Hobbton captured a conference title, hosted multiple playoff games and made a deep postseason push that gave the Wildcats plenty to build on moving forward.