LAURINBURG —On the night Parker Giglio and Frankie Himmelreich III were announced as All-Star participants for the Old North State League game this coming Saturday, the Hooligans showed up for a battle at Legion Park.
David Bullard collected three hits in three at-bats as the Laurinburg Highland Hooligans (4-16) defeated the East Coast Iron Horses 9-7 on Wednesday. Bullard doubled in the third inning and singled in both the second and fifth innings.
The East Coast Iron Horses got on the board in the top of the second inning after Jesse Smith singled down the left-field line, and Elijah Guinn grounded into a fielder’s choice, each scoring one run.
Laurinburg captured a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the second when Bullard singled, scoring two runs; Marquee Williams was hit by a pitch, driving in a run; and Bullard later scored after tagging up.
The Iron Horses jumped back in front in the top of the third when Apollos Horrell singled, scoring three runs, and an error brought in another run.
Laurinburg regained the lead, 7-6, in the bottom of the third when Yulio Ceron singled in a run and Bullard doubled, scoring two more.
The Iron Horses tied the game at seven in the top of the sixth when Dawson Smith singled in a run.
Laurinburg retook the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh when Reynell Capellan Reyes doubled, scoring the go-ahead run to make it 8-7.
Derek Moehrle pitched four and two-thirds innings in relief for Laurinburg, allowing nine hits and five runs (four earned) while striking out three and walking three. Hunter Santilli started the game for Laurinburg, allowing two hits and two runs over two and one-third innings, with two strikeouts and three walks. Joel Davis started for the Iron Horses, giving up three hits and four runs over two innings, striking out four and walking three.
Laurinburg finished with 12 hits. Bullard and Zach Larison each had three hits. Ceron and Capellan Reyes also recorded multiple-hit performances. The Hooligans drew eight walks, with Himmelreich III and Juan Almonte leading the team with two each.
The Iron Horses also finished with 12 hits. Horrell led the way with two RBIs from the No. 7 spot, going 1-for-4. Smith, batting ninth, paced the lineup with three hits in four at-bats. William Raymond and Smith both recorded multi-hit games. Tyler Pegram drew a team-high two walks, and the Iron Horses totaled six walks overall. They also stole four bases and played error-free defense, with Pegram handling a team-high nine chances in the field.