American Legion: Down But Not Out
Sooner or later, Doug Emery had a feeling things would catch up to his Post 167 American Legion Team.
The Harrisburg head coach, who saw a handful of errors almost cost him in a 10 inning win on Sunday, saw the same miscues Monday.
This time, it was Metropolis who got the upper hand, knocking off the No. 1 seeded, Post 167 in a 9-4 win at the 24th District American Legion Tournament.
The game was squared at 4-all in the top of the sixth when Metropolis scored three unanswered runs to go up 7-4 and tacked on two more in the seventh to win 9-4.
"We did not play well at all with three errors and eight walks, but you can't make three errors and expect to win any game, especially in the tournament," Emery said. "It's a shame because we were right in it until the top of the sixth, but that's baseball and Metropolis has the momentum and we didn't. There is no doubt they were the better team (Monday) night."
Noah Vallette got the start and went five innings, giving up four runs on three hits, while striking out six and walking two.
Jordan Gould and Austin Hefner combined for an inning and two-thirds, giving up five runs on four hits with six walks. Patrick Bittle recorded the final out in the seventh.
Harrisburg out hit Metropolis 8-7, but the six walks on the mound in the last two innings compounded with the three errors, ultimately spelled the end for Harrisburg.
At the plate, Bittle led Post 167 with three hits, while Hefner had two hits. Adam Ninness, Presley Gauch and Vallette all had one hit.
Harrisburg will play the winner of today's game between Carrier Mills and Carmi at 7 p.m. in Carmi.
The winner then advances to Wednesday 24th District Championship against Metropolis at 4 p.m. and will have to beat Post 306 to force a second and final game at 7 p.m.
24th District American Legion Baseball Tournament
<p><strong>24th District American Legion Baseball Tournament</strong><br /><strong>at Carmi</strong><br /><strong>Saturday, July 9</strong><br />GAME 1 — Carmi (4) , Carrier Mills (5) 6 <br />GAME 2 — Metropolis (2) 3, McLeansboro (7) 2<br />GAME 3 — Fairfield (3) 12 vs. Shawneetown (6) 1<br /><br /><strong>Sunday, July 10</strong><br />GAME 4 — Harrisburg (1) 4, Carmi 3<br />GAME 5 — Metropolis 12 Fairfield 2<br />GAME 6 — McLeansboro 5, Shawneetown 1<br /><br /><strong>Monday, July 11</strong><br />GAME 7 — Carrier Mills 12 Fairfield 7<br />GAME 8 — Carmi 4 McLeansboro 1<br />GAME 9 — Metropolis 9, Harrisburg 4<br /><br /><strong>Tuesday, July 12</strong><br />GAME 10 — Carmi vs. Carrier Mills, 4 p.m.<br />GAME 11 — Harrisburg vs. Carmi/Carrier Mills, 7 p.m.<br /><br /><strong>Wednesday, July 13</strong><br />GAME 12 — Metropolis vs. Game 11 winner, 4 p.m.<br />GAME 13 — Game 12 winner vs. Game 12 loser, 7 p.m. (if necessary)</p>