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American Legion: Rollin' On

The onslaught Harrisburg Post 167 displayed against Orient Monday in the first round of the 5th Division Tournament had been missing during the 24th District Tournament.

Harrisburg picked a good time to revive its offense in a 14-2 beat down Monday night.

Post 167 cranked out 12 hits on the night as Noah Vallette went 4-for-6 with five RBI. Vallette also stood in line as the winning pitcher, striking out 12 over six innings and allowing just one hit, a single in the fifth inning by Cameron Beers.

"We came out and hit early," said Post 167 head coach Doug Emery. "We scored early and jumped on them and Noah basically shut the door the rest of the way. He pitched a great game and was just really proud of him. We played good defense and we actually played the way we are capable of playing. I'm looking forward to seeing what this team can do down the road and (Tuesday) night."

Vallette was as effective on the bump as he was at the plate. The graduating senior from Harrisburg struggled, issuing five walks on the night and found himself in some trouble early in the game, but found ways to get out of innings.

"He did struggle early with his control, in the first inning mainly," Emery said. "After that he got his slider going and got in a groove. He was commanding, held them and pitched well. That's what he is capable of and that's what our team is capable of. We can play well and win games like that, I like our chances right now."

Orient never really threatened against Post 167, although they squandered an opportunity early in the game after leaving runners on second and third with one out after Harrisburg opened the game with a two-run first.

Austin Hefner led the game off with a single and after advancing to third on Bryce Emery's single, scored on Vallette's shot to left field.

Emery, who moved to third on the play, then scored on Patrick Bittle's ground out.

The score held until the fourth inning when Harrisburg chased Orient starter Chase McLarin with one out and proceeded to tack on four more runs as Adam Ninness scored on a Hefner hit and Vallette drove in Hefner. Drew Woolcott's two RBI double past short scored Emery and Vallette.

Post 167 added two more runs in the eighth inning as Vallette's two RBI single scored Ninness and Hefner and after Orient got its two runs of the game in the bottom of the frame, Harrisburg blew the game open with a six-run ninth that included a three-run home run by Hefner to deep left field and Sean Mondino's two RBI single to shallow right field scored Vallette and Bittle.

Ninness finished with three hits on the night, while Woolcott had two, including two RBI. Emery had two hits as well, including a double.

Bittle, who had an RBI, teamed up with Jordan Gould to close out the game over the last three innings.

Harrisburg will now play Metropolis in tonight's (Tuesday) winner bracket game at 7:30 p.m.

In other action Monday night, Highland knocked off Sparta 10-0, while Metropolis beat New Baden 4-1. Herrin got a forfeit victory over Teutopolis.

Sparta will play Teutopolis at 11 a.m. Tuesday, while New Baden takes on Orient at 2 p.m. Highland will play Herrin at 4:45, prior to Harrisburg and Metropolis.

Metropolis knocked off Harrisburg 4-2 in the championship of the 24th District Tournament last Wednesday in Carmi.

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.

American Legion 5th Division Baseball Tournament

<p><strong>American Legion 5th Division Baseball Tournament</strong><br /><strong>At West Frankfort</strong><br /><strong>Monday, July 18</strong><br />Game 1: Highland 5, Sparta 0<br />Game 2: New Baden vs.<br />Metropolis, 2 p.m.<br />Game 3: Herrin 1, Teutopolis 0 (forfeit)<br />Game 4: Harrisburg 14, Orient 2<br /><strong>Tuesday, July 19</strong><br />Game 5: Sparta vs. Teutopolis, 11 a.m.<br />Game 6: New Baden vs. Orient, 2 p.m.<br />Game 7: Highland vs. Herrin, 4:45 p.m.<br />Game 8: Metropolis vs. Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m.<br /><strong>Wednesday, July 20</strong><br />Game 9:  Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, 2 p.m.<br />Game 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, 4:45 p.m.<br />Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 7:30 p.m.<br />Thursday, July 21<br />Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs. Loser Game 11, 4:45 p.m.<br />Game 13: Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 11, 7:30 p.m.<br /><strong>Friday, July 22</strong><br />Game 14: Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13, 4:45 p.m.<br />Game 15 Winner Game 14 vs. Loser Game 14 if first loss</p>