By Heather Kent

Special to the News-Herald

After a precarious start to the season, losing three of their first four games, the Nansemond Post 88 Indians have gained momentum in a big way in the American Legion baseball league.

A recent four-game winning streak moved them into third place in the district. The four wins were dominating ones, with the Indians scoring a total of 44 runs, while only allowing 10. Final scores were 15-5, 13-1, 4-0, and 12-4. Two of the four games were stopped in the fifth inning, with a 10-run mercy rule in effect.

“We have so many great hitters on this team, and that’s finally starting to show,” coach Jerry Kent said. “Once we gelled on the field, limiting our errors, things have really taken off.”

Four of those hitters have been selected for the American Legion All Star team.

Mike Parmentier, who plays pitcher, infield and outfield, currently holds the team’s highest batting average at .560, and also the lowest ERA at 2.25. Shane McCaw plays first base, pitcher and outfield and has 39 put-outs and a fielding percentage of over .950. Jefferson Knight, who plays second base and outfield, has an error-free season thus far, along with a current batting average of .478. Ryan Stalnaker, playing at pitcher, infield and outfield, has a .400 batting average and over .900 fielding percentage.

The team’s alternate for the All-Star game is Tyler Lilly, a pitcher and catcher with 23 put-outs, and a batting average of .333.

Coach Kent, and the rest of the Indians coaching staff had a difficult task with the selections.

“I wish I could send them all to the All Stars, there are so many that deserve it,” he said. “But they only allow us four spots, and these boys have posted the best numbers so far this season. All the players should be proud to have made this such a tough decision for the coaches.”

The Indians were set to play at home at Nansemond River High School on Saturday with a double header against Post 26 from the Outer Banks at 4 and 6 p.m.