Latta solid through 8 in Post 334 win
Mike Latta threw 8-plus innings of solid baseball Tuesday night (July 14) to help Post 334 pick up a 6-4 win in its first game of a best-of-three playoff series with Tri City Blue.
Latta scattered nine hits, walked three and struck out nine in what was one of the most improbable pitching performances for a Post 334 team in several years. The team’s lead catcher, Latta was not in the team’s pitching plans when the summer season began, but with the loss of Cody Beam’s services, then other arm injuries suffered by members of the staff, Latta and second baseman Devin Croal were both pressed into mound service.
It should be noted that Croal has been exceptional in his sudden call to service, too.
Post 334 led 6-1 going into the ninth, but with Latta having thrown more than 110 pitches for the first time in his career, signs of weariness were evident early in the inning. A walk, a couple of hits, a fielder’s choice and an error ended his stint on the mound with the score 6-3 and bases loaded. Will Heiser came on in relief, and though he gave up one more run via a sacrifice fly, the big guy with the crazy legs closed out the game.
Ian Andrews collected three hits to lead Post 334 at the plate.
Post 334 faces Tri City Blue in game two of the series Wednesday, 5 p.m., at St. Anthony High School…
Posted: July 14th, 2009