Post 29 falls in Game I
From staff reports

CHARLOTTE — Huntersville scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to overtake Caldwell County Post 29 9-8 in the first round of the Area IV American Legion Baseball playoffs Monday night at North Mecklenburg High School’s field.

Caldwell County, which hosts Huntersville Tuesday at M.S. Deal, but returns to North Mecklenburg on Wednesday, took an 8-6 lead in the top of the ninth inning on a Huntersville error on a Caldwell County bunt, which allowed two runs to score.

Caldwell County’s lead seemed to be safe since pitcher Cody Poarch had struck out 13 Huntersville batters after replacing starter Jon Sharpe in the fourth inning. But Huntersville got a two-run home run from Benji Jackson to tie the game 8-8, and then a game-winning RBI single to right field from Rusty White.

Poarch had already struck Jackson out two times before giving up Jackson’s home run, which was hit to right field.

Sharpe, Watauga’s pitching ace during the prep baseball season, went into the fourth inning on the mound for Caldwell. He gave up six hits and struck out five Monday night.

Caldwell took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Lucas Jackson scored on a passed ball and Jon Grey smacked an RBI single. Caldwell turned to its power game in the third inning when Trent Reynolds hit a three-run home run and Cody Prestwood added a solo blast to give Caldwell a 6-4 lead.