MINT HILL, NC – On Thursday night the American Legion 2023 baseball season got underway with Mint Hill Post 555 playing host to Concord Post 51 in a game played at Independence High School.

In the top half of the first inning, Concord loaded the bases and scored on a hard grounder that was hit deep in the hole between short and third base. Mint Hill’s shortstop Ryan Bloomingburg made the stop, and with the Concord runner almost home, Bloomingburg threw out the runner at first for the second out.  Concord’s next batter grounded out to short to give Concord a 1-0 led after a half-inning of play.  In the home half of the first inning, Mint Hill’s second baseman Ty Frattaroli led off with an infield hit.

First baseman George White came to the plate, and after Frattaroli advanced to second on a passed ball, White blasted a two-run home run over the left field wall to put Mint Hill in the lead 2-1.  After White’s home run, third baseman Thomas Paxton and left fielder Seth Hartnett walked. Catcher Andrew Chandler reached on an infield hit.  Coach Mangum sent Cam Hall in to run for Chandler.  Hall then scored on a passed ball.  Thompson Broadway the right fielder was next up and hit a double off the right center field wall scoring Paxton and Hartnett.  Shortstop Ryan Bloomingburg stepped to the plate and laid down a bunt scoring Broadway.

The inning finally ended on center fielder Robert Mack’s long fly ball to left field giving Mint Hil a 6-1 lead. Neither team could manage any more runs until the bottom of the fourth inning.  Mint Hill’s Robert Mack led off with a bunt and stole second.   Ty Frattaroli reached on an error by Concord’s shortstop which moved Mack to third.  After Frattaroli stole second, George White hit a long shot to left field scoring both Mack and Frattaroli to put Mint Hill up 8-1.

Mint Hill plated two more runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning.  Ryan Bloomingburg led off and was awarded first base after being hit by a pitch and was moved to second after Cam Hall walked.  Ty Frattaroli hit a single to right field which scored Bloomingburg; however, Hall was thrown out at third.  Thomas Paxton drew a walk that put two Mint Hill runners on base.  Frattaroli advanced to third on a passed ball.  Frattaroli scored on a Gentry Caplan single to right field to put Mint Hill up 10-1. Mint Hill held Concord scoreless in the top of the seventh inning to take the victory.

Concord    1  0  0  0  0  0  0  –    1

Mint Hill     6  0  0  2  0  2  X –  10