Rockdale Post 77 began its 2013 American Legion baseball season on a strong note, defeating Douglasville 10-5 Tuesday.

Cameron Ragsdale drove in four runs on three hits, Casey Shubert had two RBI and Zach Bailey stole three bases and had a double for the home team.

Post 77 led 2-0 after two innings, before scoring three in the fourth, despite sending eight batters to the plate in the frame.

"It should have been more, but we had some base-running blunders in the fourth inning," Rockdale coach Jack Murphy said.

Rockdale scored two more runs the next inning and two more in the seventh to go up 9-2. Post 77 had the chance to end it early on the 10-run rule, but were unable to score with runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth inning, and
Douglasville knocked in three more runs in the ninth.

On the mound, Joshua Smith started things off a little shaky, allowing a hit up the middle before loading the bases with one out. Eric Smith then came in relief, getting the next two outs, and lasting four innings, striking out six batters.

"He saved our bacon," Murphy said. "He got two outs without giving up a run, and that was a good start for us."

Jake Wright followed Eric Smith in relief, keeping the Douglasville bats at bay.

Wright is one of five Eastside players suiting up for Post 77, along with fellow Eagles Keith and Drew Buckhault, Musashi Briem and Peyton Pallay.

Rockdale's game at Douglasville was postponed Thursday due to inclement weather, making Sunday's 2 p.m. home game against Alpharetta Post 77's next time on the field.