Washington Post 218 completed its perfect run through the Ninth District Freshmen Legion baseball season with an 8-5 victory over Pacific Post 320 Saturday at Ronsick Field.
Post 218 (31-1, 14-0) overcame a 5-4 deficit with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for the win.
Pacific (12-3, 10-3) finished second in the district standings. Post 320 concludes the regular season Tuesday against Central at C&H Park.
It was Washington’s second win on Saturday after defeating Central 9-3.
“We finished the regular season off right with two big wins. The first with Central to clinch first place and the second against Pacific, which allowed us to complete district play undefeated at 14-0,” said Post 218 Manager Kevin Juergens. “With the No. 1 seed wrapped up for the district tournament, I was not sure what to expect from the boys when we came out against Pacific. I was hoping we would just give them a game thinking we would have a letdown after the win against Central. The heat seemed to be wearing on us a little, but our boys really stepped up and pulled out another nice win.”
The Ninth District Freshmen Tournament takes place at Ronsick Field starting Saturday.
Top-seeded Washington plays eighth-seeded Central Saturday at 11 a.m.
Second-seeded Pacific takes on seventh-seeded Elsberry Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Post 218 opened a 3-0 lead over Pacific with three runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Post 320 scored single runs in the top of the second and third innings to make the score 3-2.
Washington made the score 4-2 with a run in the bottom of the third inning.
Pacific came back with a run in the top of the fourth to make the score 4-3.
Post 320 then grabbed a 5-4 advantage with two runs in the top of the fifth inning.
Post 218 took the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“We had the game won, but made a few mistakes in the bottom of the sixth inning,” said Pacific Coach Cody Kelley. “We played a good game until the sixth inning.”
Evan Ayers pitched the first five innings for Post 218 in a no-decision. He allowed five runs on eight hits with one walk, two hit batters and five strikeouts.
Nate Hillermann tossed the final two frames to earn the win. He allowed no runs on one hit with one walk and one hit batter.
“Evan pitched well enough where he should have gotten the win. Hillermann came in and did a nice job of closing the game for us,” Juergens said. “We had some plays we usually make and we simply did not make them.”
Brett Mann pitched all six innings for Post 320. He allowed eight runs on 13 hits with no walks, one hit batter and two strikeouts.
“Brett has had a problem getting through the first inning all year and then he usually does well after the first inning. That happened again with Washington scoring three runs in the first inning,” Kelley said. “Once he settled in, he pitched well and had a good game.”
Spencer Juergens led Washington’s 13-hit attack with three hits (one triple), three RBIs and two runs.
Seth Bollmann also had three hits to go with one RBI and one run.
Austin Finder finished with two hits, two RBIs and two runs.
John Himmelberg had one hit, reached on an error and scored two runs.
Logan Holdmeyer and Matt Miller both had one hit and one RBI.
Ryan Becszlko had one hit and one run. Ayers added one hit. Micah McNeal reached on an error.
“Offensively, my two, three and four hitters (Bollmann, Finder and Juergens) accounted for eight of our hits,” Juergens said. “Matt Miller also had a big hit and picked up an RBI.”
Leading Pacific’s nine-hit attack was Drew Fonner, who collected three hits (one triple), one RBI and one run.
L.B. Smith finished with two hits and two RBIs.
Brendan McMillan had one hit, reached on an error, scored one run and had one RBI.
Randy Chitwood collected one hit and two runs.
Ryan Howell added one hit (double) and was hit by a pitch.
Noah Brocato had one hit and one walk.
Alex Rice was hit by a pitch twice. Eain Roberts walked and reached on an error.
“We have 12 guys who are swinging the bat pretty well right now,” Kelley said. “We just left too many runners on base. We had the bases loaded with one out twice and scored only one run both times.”
Pacific’s Nick Hogan suffered a broken nose after being hit by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout during the game.
Hogan, one of the top pitchers for Post 320, should be ready to play in the district tournament.
“Nick is fine. I think he’ll be ready to pitch by this weekend,” Kelley said. “We also hope to have Hunter Finney back for the district tournament. Hunter is one of our best hitters who’s been out with a broken hand.”
Kelley hopes to see his Pacific team make a run during the district tournament.
“We play Elsberry in the first round of the district tournament. The second round could be North, St. Charles or maybe someone else,” Kelley said. “I think we have a shot. Hopefully we’ll get past our first two games and get another chance to play Washington.”
