American Legion: Comeback Not In the Cards For Post 167
The rally hats were on, but the comeback was not in the cards for Harrisburg Post 167 Tuesday night at the 5th Division American Legion Tournament.
Facing the same Metropolis team that Harrisburg met in the championship of the 24th District Tournament at Carmi a week ago, didn't fare much better in a 4-3 win for Post 306.
After Metropolis took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Harrisburg answered the call in the top of the seventh, squaring the game at 3 after Britton Riden drove in Bryce Emery.
The tie didn't stand very long as Post 306 responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh on a poke single by Jared Vaughn into center field, scoring Lane Wright to take a 4-3 lead.
Metropolis starter Jay Benard exited the game with two outs in the top of the eighth, giving way to reliever Ryan Bradley, who closed out the ninth inning with little damage.
Bradley issued a lead off walk to Noah Vallette, but then struck out Patrick Bittle and got Riden to ground out to first and Drew Woolcott to pop out to second.
One of the many things that plagued Harrisburg at the district tournament were the alarming number of runners Post 167 left on base. Tuesday night, Harrisburg stranded 11 runners on base after out hitting Metropolis 6-3 on the night.
Bernard stood in line for the win, going 7 2/3, while allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out seven and walking seven.
Jordan Gould got a no decision in the start as the senior-to-be went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits. Gould struck out nine on the bump and walked just two.
Emery, who came on in relief in the bottom of the sixth, picked up the loss, allowing the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh.
Harrisburg jumped on Metropolis in the third inning, plating two runs when Austin Hefner led the inning off with a double to left field and following an Emery walk, Noah Vallette ripped a single down the third base line to score Hefner. Later, Riden drove in Emery with a sacrifice-fly.
The score stood until the bottom of the fourth when Metropolis scored its first run, which came on a pair of errors and took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Bradley, who broke up Gould's no hitter with a single in the fifth inning, singled up the box to score Tyler Jennings and Jared Vaughn.
Hefner finished the night with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate for Harrisburg, while Adam Ninness, Vallette and Bittle all had hits.
The loss now puts Harrisburg in the consolation bracket and Post 167 is slated to play Sparta today (Wednesday) at 4:45 p.m.
Sparta, by virtue of another forfeit from Teutopolis for using an ineligible player, stays alive in the 5th Division Tournament.
Also on Tuesday, New Baden eliminated Orient with an 8-1 victory and Herrin came back to beat Highland 8-7.
New Baden will play Highland at 2 p.m., followed by Harrisburg and Sparta. Metropolis and Herrin will meet up at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night.
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: Metropolis 4, New Baden 1<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 1 Teutopolis 0 (forfeit)<br />Game 6: New Baden 8, Orient 1<br />Game 7: Herrin 8, Highland 7<br />Game 8: Metropolis 4, Harrisburg 3<br /><strong>Wednesday, July 20</strong><br />Game 9: New Baden vs. Highland, 2 p.m.<br />Game 10: Sparta vs. Harrisburg, 4:45 p.m.<br />Game 11: Herrin vs. Metropolis, 7:30 p.m.<br /><strong>Thursday, July 21</strong><br />Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs.<br />Loser Game 11, 4:45 p.m.<br />Game 13: Winner Game 10 vs.<br />Winner Game 11, 7:30 p.m.<br /><strong>Friday, July 22</strong><br />Game 14: Winner Game 12 vs.<br />Winner Game 13, 4:45 p.m.<br />Game 15 Winner Game 14 vs.<br />Loser Game 14 if first loss</p>