Pacific Post 320 swept a Freshmen Legion baseball doubleheader Sunday against St. Charles.
Playing at Pacific Youth Association, Post 320 won by scores of 4-1 and 11-8.
“It was great for us to sweep the doubleheader, especially against St. Charles,” said Post 320 Coach Cody Kelley. “Both of our pitchers did a great job. We hit the ball well and scored some runs. Our defense was good at times, but we have to be better.”
Post 320 (6-2 overall and 4-2 in the Ninth District) returns to action Thursday against Central at 6 p.m. at PYA.
First Game
Ryan Howell tossed a two-hit shutout in the first game in Pacific’s 4-1 victory over St Charles.
In seven innings of work, Howell allowed one unearned run on two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.
“The only run Ryan gave up was on an interference call. Their kid ran into our second baseman and they were given third base and home,” Kelley said. “Ryan kept the ball down and threw a lot of strikes. His velocity was good. Our defense was good in the first game.”
Trailing 1-0, Post 320 tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning and took the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Eain Roberts had the big hit of the sixth inning, a two-out, two-run single to put Pacific on top.
Post 320 outhit St. Charles, 5-2.
Roberts paced Pacific with one hit, two RBIs and one run.
Brendan McMillan added one hit (triple), one RBI and one run.
Alex Rice and Howell both finished with one hit and one run.
Dalton Mathis collected one hit. Randy Chitwood drew a walk.
“They had a good pitcher who threw pretty hard,” Kelley said. “We came up with some big hits when we needed them.”
Second Game
Post 320 slugged out 14 hits in the second game in a 11-8 win over St. Charles (5-7, 4-5).
“Once we scored a couple of runs in the third inning, our offense took off,” Kelley said. “Our defense wasn’t very good. We probably had five or six errors. All eight of their runs were unearned.”
Brett Mann registered 15 strikeouts in seven innings for Post 320 to earn the win. He allowed eight runs, none earned, on seven hits with two walks and the 15 strikeouts.
“Brett struck out the first eight batters he faced,” Kelley said. “He threw around 105 pitches. His pitch count would have been in the 80s if our defense was better. He had great mound presence. He didn’t fold after we made errors. I think it made him mad and he threw the ball harder.
“Brett and Ryan both will get a lot of work for the rest of the season, especially with Drew Fonner hurt and Nick Hogan just coming back from an injury.”
Four different players collected three hits for Pacific.
Mathis finished the game with three hits, three RBIs and two runs.
“Dalton is our cleanup hitter and does a great job putting the ball in play,” Kelley said.
Roberts added three hits (two doubles), one walk, three runs and one RBI.
“Eain had some big hits in both games,” Kelley said.
Noah Brocato collected three hits (one double) and three RBIs.
“Noah hits near the bottom of the lineup and swung the bat well,” Kelley said. “It’s good to get production from the bottom of the order.”
McMillan had three hits, three runs and one RBI.
“Brendan had a big day,” Kelley said. “He had a big triple in the first game and added three more hits in the second game.”
Howell finished with two hits and two runs.
Ryan Vogelsang drew a pair of walks. Bailey Watson walked and scored. Ryan Ray had one walk.
