Seizing control

Henderson County American Legion Post 77 jumped off to a decisive start Thursday night, scoring three quick runs in the first inning, and never let up in an 8-1 victory over Newell at East Henderson High School.

Newell didn’t score until the final inning. Excellent pitching by Nathan Hyatt and an overall strong defensive showing kept Newell at bay the entire night.

“I told our guys that that was our best effort all year,” Post 77 coach Matt Mabe said. “We did all three facets very well.”

Leading the way for Henderson County was Hyatt, who held Newell scoreless through 8 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts. Offensively Hyatt went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in the 2nd, giving his team a five-run cushion they’d never relinquish.

“My other outings were not so great,” Hyatt said. “And I knew I had to be ready and step up for the playoffs. Everything was working and it all felt good out there.”

Michael Lolley also performed well, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks. For Newell the story was the twelve runners left on base, as its lone score came in the ninth with reliever Brian Ray on the mound.

“They hit the ball consistently when they needed it,” Newell’s coach said afterward. “But the ball bounces differently everyday and we aren’t going to change anything. Tomorrow’s a new day.”

Game 3 is scheduled for today at 7 p.m. at Independence High in Charlotte.

Post 77 leads the best-of-5 series 2-0.