RALEIGH - The 11-year-old All-star team from Hamlet rolled into West Raleigh on Wednesday afternoon, trying to carry their momentum from Siler City, into the state Cal Ripken tournament.

Unfortunately, the Hamlet All-stars found themselves in a 10-0 hole after the first three innings, and lost the game 11-4.

Coach Rocky Norton sent Blake Leviner to the mound to face the Winter Park team, which is composed of entirely travel baseball players.

Leviner retired the first two batters that he faced in the innings, but a single, and an error would allow West Raleigh’s Andrew Croom to score. Leviner worked two innings on the mound for Hamlet, allowing three earned on four hits, and struck out three.

Chase Haywood stepped into the batter’s box for Hamlet and produced a single into right field.

With Noah Stubbs drawing a walk, the Hamlet team looked to be in business early in the game.

However, Haywood was caught stealing at third, the next two batters were retired and the momentum Hamlet had wouldn’t come back for the rest of the game.

Hamlet allowed seven runs to cross the plate in the bottom of the second inning; only three were earned, as the other four scored on defensive errors.

The offense for the All-stars was missing in action until the top of the fourth inning. With Justice Goodwin being struck by a pitch, and one on first base, Bryson Conner stepped into the box.

Conner, worked the count 2-0 in his favor, belted a laser shot over the left field fence to score Hamlet’s first two runs of the game.

Hamlet followed their two run fourth, with a two run fifth, but could only draw to within six of the Winter Park team.

Winter Park cruised to the win after the fourth inning, scoring one more run on a fielder’s choice, to make the score 11-4.

Josh Johnson, who took over on the mound for Blake Leviner, was named the MVP of the game for Hamlet.

Johnson, pitched the final four innings of the game, allowed three runs to cross the plate, struck out three batters and picked off two base runners.

The All-stars will return to action tomorrow at 4 p.m. in West Raleigh. They will be facing North Wake, trying to extend their tournament appearance and make it to the finals.

Contact Sports Reporter Travis Anderson at 997-3111 ext. 44 or via e-mail at tanderson@yourdailyjournal.com