Proving it can win on the road as well, the Washington Post 218 Senior Legion team picked up three victories this week, including two away from Rotary Recreational Complex - Ronsick Field.
Post 218 (7-0, 6-0) won over Central Tuesday at C&H Park, 5-2.
On Wednesday, Washington returned home to beat St. Charles, 5-1.
The team hit the road again Thursday to win at Wentzville, 10-6.
Washington hosts Daniel Boone at Rotary Recreational Complex - Ronsick Field Friday night at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Washington hosts another Ninth District foe, Clarksville, starting at 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Creve Coeur of the 10th District visits Post 218 at 6 p.m.
After that, Washington is idle until hosting Wentzville Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.
Central
Hitting the road for the first time this season, Post 218 survived to earn a 5-2 win over Central at C&H Park.
Washington led for the entire game, scoring two runs in the top of the first and adding another in the third.
Central scored one run in the fourth and cut it to 3-2 in the eighth.
Post 218 scored twice in the ninth and held off Central in the bottom of the frame to earn the win.
Washington used three pitchers in the game. Brendan Feldmann pitched the first six innings to earn the victory. He allowed an unearned run on three walks while striking out three.
Mike McGilvray earned a hold by throwing two innings. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two.
Tony Helfrich picked up the save, tossing the ninth inning. He allowed one hit and struck out one.
Offensively, Post 218 outhit Central, 10-3. Central committed four errors to three for Washington.
Sam Deschenes and Trent Leimkuehler each had two hits in the game. Grant Eckelkamp (double), Matt Jones, Jack Kopmann, Helfrich, Noah Borgerding and Dilan Bollmann each had one hit.
Deschenes scored twice while Eckelkamp, Leimkuehler and Jones each scored one run.
Deschenes, Kopmann and Helfrich drove in runs.
Jones, Kopmann, Helfrich, Bollmann and Dustin Howard walked.
Eckelkamp was hit by a pitch. Deschenes, Leimkuehler, Helfrich, Borgerding and Bollmann stole bases.
Alex Ottinger pitched four innings and took the loss for Central. Blake Wellinghoff threw four innings and Cory Blase finished out the game.
Central’s hits came from Joey Gardner, Jack Webb and Tyler Emery. Travis Vaught scored the run and Josh Wade contributed the RBI.
“Our defense was OK for the most part, but one error cost us a run,” said Post 218 Manager Mike Gardner. “Grant Eckelkamp made a great diving stop up he middle and threw the runner out at first from his knees. It was a solid road win against a good Central team.”
St. Charles
Cody Gardner threw a complete game to pick up the league win Wednesday at home against St. Charles, 5-1.
“Cody Gardner started for us and really pitched a great game,” Mike Gardner said. “He struggled a little early with command of his off-speed pitches but once he found the groove it was over. That is our second complete nine-inning game by one of our starters. I have been really impressed with our team’s starting pitching.”
Gardner went the full nine innings while scattering six hits and two walks. He allowed one run and struck out eight Post 312 batters.
Washington outhit St. Charles in the game, 8-6. St. Charles hurt its cause by committing five errors while Washington played flawless defense.
Post 218 took the lead with a run in the third inning and added three more runs in the fourth.
St. Charles scored once in the top of the seventh, but Washington added a final marker in the bottom of the eighth and closed it out in the ninth.
Washington’s eight hits were singles. Eckelkamp and McGilvray each had two hits while Deschenes, Leimkeuhler, Kopmann and Austin Rettke each had one hit.
Howard scored two runs while McGilvray, Kopmann and Rettke each scored once.
Leimkuehler and Rettke drove in runs.
Austin Olendoff started for Post 312 and suffered the loss, allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits. He walked none and struck out eight during six innings of work.
Travis Weidenbenner relieved and threw the final two innings. He allowed an unearned run while striking out two.
Michael Pundmann (double), Samuel Chambers, Adam Ricks, Connor Brett, Spencer Pugh and Brandon Brett had one hit each. Pundmann and Connor Brett walked.
“It was another great team effrot against a very good St. Charles team,” Gardner said. “I felt that it was very important for us to win this game as it puts us in a little bit in control of our destiny within the district.”
Wentzville
Washington led most of the game in the 10-6 win at Fireman’s Park, but had some anxious moments.
Post 218 took the lead with a run in the second and then added one run in the third, two in the fourth and three in the sixth.
Post 218 hit a major obstacle in the bottom of the sixth as Wentzville scored all six of its runs to cut Washington’s advantage to 7-6. Errors played a major factor in that inning. For the game, neither team was sharp in the field. Post 218 made six errors to Wentzville’s four.
But Washington responded with one run in the eighth and two in the ninth to secure the victory.
Luke Hasenjaeger earned the win for Post 218, lasting six innings while giving up six unearned runs on three hits and two walks. He struck out five.
“The box score might not show it but Luke Hasenjaeger really pitched a great game for us,” Gardner said. “He cruised through the first five innings not allowing a run. In the sixth he got in a little touble when the leadoff batter walked but he made good pitches to get ground balls. Unfortunately the infield at Fireman’s Park is like concrete and the ball took some crazy bounces on us and we were not able to make the play.”
Jones earned the save, throwing the final three innings. He walked one and struck out eight Wentzville batters.
“Matt Jones came in and was really bringing it as he struck out eight batters in the last three innings to get the save,” Gardner said.
Washington outhit Wentzville, 15-3.
Kopmann contributed four hits and scored two runs.
“Jack Kopmann has been really hitting the ball well and had another multiple hit game with four singles,” Gardner said.
Leimkuehler ended with three hits, including a triple. He scored once, drove in four, walked once and stole a base.
Deschenes belted two doubles while adding one run and two RBIs.
Bollmann ended with two hits, including a double and added two runs, a walk and a stolen base.
Howard posted two hits.
Jones doubled and drove in a run.
McGilvray singled.
David McNeal was hit by a pitch and scored. Andrew Sumner walked and scored.
Wentzville’s hits came from Austin Gilreath, Jimmy Ramage and Brett Eubanks.
Ethan Haake took the loss for Wentzville, throwing seven innings while allowing seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits and three walks. He struck out one. Jacob Rice pitched the final two innings.
