Post 129 opens state tourney with win

      LANCASTER — Hillsboro Post 129 baseball came out of the gates swinging Monday morning at Lancaster High School.

      Coming off a week lay off after winning the District 7 title, Post 129 pounded out 11 runs against Galion-Mansfield Post 243 for an 11-0 shutout victory in the opening round of the American Legion Baseball State Tournament.

      Hillsboro used a variety of hitting to gain the win, but what can't be forgotten in the mass hitting display is the pitching performance of Tucker Hughes.

      Hughes was masterful on the hill, allowing just three hits in the seven inning run-rule affair. Not only did the ace of Post 129 keep Galion scoreless, but he walked zero and struck out four at England Field.
      "I wouldn't say we have an ace, but Tucker has been our best strike thrower," Hillsboro head coach Ritchie Butler said. "He's been consistant and doesn't over-power guys. He keeps guys in the game.
      "Tucker's speed, control and breaking stuff all have improved this summer. He's decided he wants to improve and he has this summer."

      But the pitching was backed up with the aforementioned hitting of the Post 129 batters.

      After going down scoreless in the first inning, Hillsboro avenged it with a four-run second, one-run third, four-run fourth and capped off the scoring with a two-run sixth.

      In the second, all the runs came with two outs.

      The two-out rally began with Corey Walker reaching via errant throw to first base by the shortstop, pulling the first baseman off the bag. Cody Shaver followed with a hard-hit first pitch single down first base. Jacob Dillon hit the ball to the Galion shortstop, who bobbled the ball, allowing Dillon to take first, while scoring Walker. Wise then drew a six-pitch, 3-2 count, walk.

      Then came a shot that was the beginning of what turned into a very productive day at the plate for Post 129.  

      With Shaver, Dillon and Wise standing on the bases, Arehart doubled to the centerfield fence, with the centerfielder bouncing off the fence, scoring all three runners for a four-run second inning lead.

      Hillsboro wasn't through scoring in the game.

      In the third, Walker hit the ball through the shortstop to score Sam Louden. Louden, who made the score 5-0 when he crossed home plate, reached the bases on a dropped third strike.

      The score quickly changed to a 9-0 advantage for Post 129 in the bottom of the fourth.

      Dillon began the inning with a single past third base, and with one out, Arehart took first on a bunt single.

      Steagall put more runs on the scoreboard with a double, on a 3-0 count, with a shot to the left-centerfield fence, just missing by inches, as Steagall scored both Dillon and Arehart. While running to home plate, Dillon was almost in a dead sprint with Arehart, with both runners scoring.

      Though the shot by Steagall hit the fence, he soon scored on the game's only home run. Still with one out, Zach Uhl blasted a two-run home run over the right field fence to give Post 129 (the home team) a nine-run lead.

      The opening round state game was put out of reach in the bottom of the sixth, with Hillsboro plating two more runs for a score of 11-0.

      Louden and Brett Carrington began the inning with back-to-back walks. After the first out was recorded, Shaver loaded the bases with a single to left field.

      Down to their final out of the inning, Logan Wise singled in both base runners.

      In the game, Hillsboro scored seven runs with two outs.

      Shaver finished 3-for-4 for Post 129, and Arehart also gained three hits, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and one run.

      Wise and Steagall each went 1-for-3 as Steagall had two RBIs, one walk and one run. Wise was hit by a pitch, walked, while collecting two RBIs and one run. Uhl, Walker and Dillon each went 1-for-4. Walker had one run and one RBI. Uhl scored one run with two RBIs and Dillon scored twice. Louden forced two walks and scored two runs. Carrington also forced a walk and scored one run.

      As for the top of the seventh inning, Hughes kept Galion at bay with two fly outs and a breaking pitch strikeout to finish the run-rule game. Hughes improves to 5-3 overall this summer, and Post 129 jumps to 20-15 overall.

      Post 129 isn't finished for the day as they will face Lima (the District 2 champion) at 3 p.m. at Fisher-Catholic Field, in Lancaster.

      The loss drops District 5 champion Galion to 21-16 overall.

      NOTES: The 1-3 spots in the Hillsboro lineup went 5-for-11 with seven RBIs and three runs … Five Post 129 players combined for 10 RBIs … This was the first Hillsboro game since winning the District 7 title on July 17 at VA Memorial Stadium … Hillsboro is currently on a five-game winning streak … This is the first double-digit run game for Post 129 since June 27 when they defeated Circleville 134, 12-6 at Shaffer Park. 

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