BEAR GRASS – Despite their first year in the league, Bear Grass’ junior American Legion team are playing like veterans. The Martin County nine won their ninth game in a row here Thursday, rallying past Ahoskie Post 102, 9-8.

Ahoskie opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. Trevor Lee doubled and scored on Evan Lassiter’s RBI single. When Frankie Reppy reached on an error, Lassiter was able to score the second run. Ahoskie led it 2-0 after a half-inning.

After Bear Grass halved the lead in the bottom of the first to 2-1, Ahoskie added four more runs in the top of the second inning. Post 102 loaded the bases when Lee reached on an error, Keyshawn Lassiter was hit by a pitch, and Zeb Askew singled. Lee and Keyshawn Lassiter scored on Evan Lassiter’s two-run double, while Askew and Evan Lassiter scored on Bradley Edwards’ two-run single, for a 6-1 Ahoskie lead.

Bear Grass got two in the bottom of the frame and one more in bottom of the third to trail Post 102, 6-4, after three.

Ahoskie’s final two runs came in the top of the fourth when Keyshawn Lassiter was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on Lee’s RBI single. Lee stole second and third before being lifted for pinch runner Zack Lassiter, who scored on an Evan Lassiter RBI groundout. Ahoskie led 8-4 after three-and-a-half innings.

Bear Grass got single runs in the fourth and fifth to pull within two at 8-6, Ahoskie, after five.

The home team then rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete their one-run comeback win.

Evan Lassiter led Post 102 with two of Ahoskie’s six hits; he also drove in four runs. Lee also had two hits while Edwards and Askew had one hit apiece.

Jarrett Burden started on the mound for Ahoskie, going three-and-one-third innings while L.J. Barnes pitched two-and one third innings and got the loss. Evan Lassiter pitched one-third of an inning.

“It was another tough loss for us, but we battled the whole game,” said Ahoskie coach Dave Ellis. “We’re playing well and hanging in there.”

Bear Grass wins their ninth in a row while Ahoskie falls to 3-11. Post 102 will play a doubleheader at home today (Saturday) against Clayton beginning at 5 p.m.