MINT HILL, NC – On Wednesday evening the Mint Hill American Legion baseball team held their home opener against the Queen City Mustangs.  Prior to the first pitch, Mint Hill American Legion Commander Ed Berti presented Mint Hill Mayor Brad Simmons with a plaque of appreciation after which Mayor Simmons threw out the first pitch.

After both teams went scoreless in the first inning, Queen City’s Chris Hoefling started the second inning by reaching on an error.  Will Sparks singled to right field scoring Hoefling.  Will Santucci drew a walk to load the bases.  Johnny Joseph reached on a fielder’s choice forcing Santucci at second base and scoring Sparks.  Joseph scored on a Donovan Henkel fielder’s choice and came home on a Collin Pool single to take a 4-0 lead.

Mint Hill scored in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Natham Samii led off with a double to left field and scored on a single by Taylor Moser to make the score 4-1 with the Mustangs in the lead.

Mint Hill added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Wilson Lohrer led off with a double to left field.  Natham Samii followed with a double to center field driving in Lohrer.  Samii was awarded third base on a called balk and scored on a Timmy Cotton ground ball to make the score 4-3.

That was as close as Mint Hill could come to taking the lead as Queen City spoiled Mint Hill’s home opener 4-3.

Queen City 040  000  0  –  4

Mint Hill     000  102  0  –  3