Staff report

SALISBURY — Rowan County’s American Legion baseball team scored one run for the fourth straight game on Friday night.

Rowan (1-3) has been consistent in that regard, although that’s not the sort of consistency anyone was hoping for.

Short-handed Rowan had more errors (four) than hits in its first outing of the season at Newman Park and was smacked 8-1 by the Davidson County Hawgs of Post 8.

Alex Hagler (0-2), Nate Greene and Brant Graham pitched for Rowan, with Hagler getting the start and taking the loss.

Luke Graham scored the Rowan run in the first inning, but Davidson County tied the game in the third.

The top of the fourth proved decisive as  Davidson County bunched four hits and scored twice to knock out Hagler. Luke Daniels and Charlie Beck drove in the runs.

Davidson County tacked on a run in the sixth on doubles by Beck and Wingate recruit Dawson Shelton and made it a romp in the seventh, scoring four times with four hits and two Rowan errors.

Post 8 out-hit Rowan 11-3. Luke Graham had two hits, while Southern Smith-Tilley had one. Evan Koontz and Drew Burton got on base multiple times with walks or HBPs.

The winning pitcher was left-hander Thomas Hester. He threw five adventurous innings with five walks and six strikeouts.

Jake Smith had three hits and scored three runs for Post 8, which beat Rowan for the second time.

Rowan catcher Gaige Scruggs picked a runner off third base to provide a highlight. That play kept the visitors from having a huge fourth inning.

Rowan is scheduled to play Mocksville at Rich Park on Saturday.