It took nine, but Post 334 prevailed 4-3
It took nine innings to get the job done — two more than scheduled — but Post 334 fought back to claim a 4-3 tournament victory in Dickinson over an inspired Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan team Saturday afternoon.
Post 334 took a 1-0 lead in second when Corey Johnson launched a one-out solo home run over the left field barrier. Moose Jaw, which was no hit by Post 334 starter Sumo Schroer, not only broke that string in the top of the fifth and went on to score two runs for a 2-1 lead. That lead was boosted to 3-1 in the top of the sixth and stood until Post 334 came to bat in the last of the sevneth.
Catcher Mike Latta led off that Post 334 at bat with a shot to the left-center field fence for a triple, then scored when Devin Croal followed with a double. Croal eventually scored when Cory Miller’s two-out bloop single into shallow left. When Post 334 could not win the game with runners on second and third, the game advanced into extra innings, extra innings that were dominated by relief pitcher Mike McMahon, who had come on to pitch in the seventh.
McMahon ultimately pitched the final three innings of the game and collected the win.
The win was set up when Croal led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Brandon Baumgartner, who was at the bat, then placed a bunt tight to the first base line that was picked up late by the catcher and thrown toward the first baseman. The ball, which arrived at the same time Baumgartner was stepping on the bag, was not handled by the Moose Jaw first baseman and rolled into foul territory. This allowed Croal to score from third with the game-ending run.
Posted: June 28th, 2008