Thursday’s American Legion game between Beaufort County Post 15 and Windsor Post 37 was an odd one. After taking a commanding 11-0 lead after one inning, Post 15, which has prided itself on its defense all season, had to summon all its willpower and perseverance just to claim a 15-14 win in extra innings.

Obviously, the game appeared to be won before the first frame even came to a close. Beaufort County’s stout defense has been the driving force in the team’s dominance thus far. All the Pirates needed was to get their bats going to become one of the area’s most formidable opponents.

It looked like they were finally hitting their stride at the plate. The Pirates nearly cycled through the batting order twice thanks to eight hits, four walks, a hit batter and an error by the visitors.

Apparently, though, the offensive outburst came at the price of the Pirates’ defense. They committed five errors in the top of the second, spotting Windsor seven runs. Their 11-run lead evaporated as their opponent quickly got back into the game.

“We certainly came out swinging the bat well,” coach Glenn Marsh said. “We got a lead and, all season long, we’ve had tight ball games. Maybe we didn’t know exactly how to handle that 11-run lead in the first inning. We kind of took the foot off the pedal and had some defensive lapses and let them back in the ball game. They’re a good team.”

The Pirates were able to tack on three more runs in the second, extending their lead to 14-7. They also managed to chase Windsor’s starting pitcher, but that was all the offense they’d manage until walking off in the bottom of the eighth.

Beaufort County went quietly for five frames as Windsor clawed its way back into the game. In the top of the third, Austin Roscoe took over on the mound for Zach Woolard and was tagged for three runs.

The Pirates only had two reach base from the third to the seventh inning. Windsor, trailing by four, led off the top of the seventh with a double to right field. Roscoe hit two batters — the second of which pushed across a run, putting Windsor within two — to end his night. Cody Godley took over pitching duties, but took a little time to completely settle in. He hit another batter to plate another run and Windsor drilled a ball through the left side to tie the game.

Beaufort County went three up, three down in the bottom of the stanza and so did Windsor in the top of the eighth.

The Pirates had their sights set on ending the game, which took nearly three and a half hours, in the bottom of the eighth. They loaded the bases with no outs after Logan Everette drew a walk, Tanner Alligood knocked an infield single and Marshall Medlock laid down a perfect bunt on the third-base line.

“I’m really happy for Marshall Medlock. He’s such a good kid and he got an opportunity to make a difference. That bunt single was a key play for us winning the ball game,” Marsh said.

With one out and the bases loaded, Reg Bishop singled back up the middle. Windsor came close to throwing out the winning run at home, but Everette beat it out to earn an odd, hard-fought victory for the Pirates.

“I think this shows their determination and their grit. They didn’t fold,” Marsh said. “We try, as coaches, to focus on them not hanging their heads. So, you know, we try and build on the positive stuff. … The team is still growing.”