Post 129 comes up one run short against Piqua
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Improvement was shown on the field for the Hillsboro Post 129 American Legion team, but they still couldn't gain their first home victory of the season, falling to Piqua Post 184, 7-6 in a scheduled nine-inning game Wednesday at Shaffer Park.
Hillsboro (5-9), again, had trouble converting runners into runs, as they left nine stranded on the bases.
Hillsboro ended the game with seven hits, while drawing nine walks.
"We were just one hit away," Post 129 head coach Scott Morgan said. "Again, like the last game, we just have to get the timely hits.
"We have to be more aggressive at the plate. It's not for a lack of effort. We've seen the guys hit, but it is crucial this weekend to see the fastball and hit it."
Camden Vinup and Zach Docter led Hillsboro with two hits apiece. Derek Peters, Corey Walker and Blake Hildebrant each had one hit.
Both teams held the lead, with the visiting Post 184 squad taking a 2-0 lead following the top of the third inning.
Hillsboro responded with their best inning of the game, putting four runs on their side of the scoreboard in the bottom of the third.
In the bottom half of the third, Brent Shannon forced a one-out walk on a full count, followed by Walker drawing a walk on a 3-1 count. The bases were loaded when Vinup was safe on a fielder's choice, as Walker beat the throw to second base, sliding his way to keep the bases full.
Tyler Griego brought home Shannon on a bases-loaded walk five pitches later, and Peters tied the score by plating Walker with a single past the second baseman of Piqua.
Docter (2-for-2, one walk) put Post 129 in the lead with a base hit to left field on a 2-2 count, and the fourth run of the inning came when Griego scored on an errant throw to third base, with Griego racing home for the run.
Even with the four runs in the inning, Post 129 left two runners stranded, as they had just two hits but walked three times in the inning, as all four runs were scored with one out.
Post 129 added to their lead in the fourth with Walker rounding the bases on a base hit to left field for a three-run lead. Walker initially reached the bases on a two-out walk in a six-pitch at-bat.
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The score was eventually tied at five with the visitors scoring three runs in the top of the fifth as all the runs came with two outs. Hillsboro opened the top of the fifth with outs via ground out to third and second bases. From there, a batter was hit, then a single made it a 5-3 score.
From there, Piqua eventually stole home, making it a one-run differential. The differential soon turned to zero as they eventually scored their fifth run on an error.
Post 184 regained the lead in the sixth with the leadoff batter drawing a walk, stealing second, taking third on an infield error and scoring on a wild pitch.
An insurance run for Piqua was scored in the seventh with Piqua scoring on a play at the plate.
That final run proved to be the difference as Jared Halley scored a run in the bottom of the eighth for Post 129 off a 2-2 double to left field by Hildebrant.
The loss went to Luke Taggert as he pitched the first six innings, allowing four earned runs on three hits and six walks. Taggert struck out five and hit one batter.
Tyler Williams pitched one inning, and Vinup pitched the final two innings of relief. Williams allowed one run on two hits and one walk. Vinup pitched the eighth and ninth innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.
"Our pitching pitched well," Morgan said. "Luke had some quality innings, Tyler pitched well, and Camden had two good innings."
Hillsboro will host their annual Wooden Bat Tournament this weekend starting on Friday when they will host Findlay at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Post 129 will host Chillicothe Post 757 at 3 p.m. and the Troy Bombers at 5:30 p.m.
On Sunday, in the final day of the tournament, Post 129 will host Westerville South at 12:30 p.m. The two best teams from the tournament will play in the championship game at 3 p.m.
Hillsboro (5-9), again, had trouble converting runners into runs, as they left nine stranded on the bases.
Hillsboro ended the game with seven hits, while drawing nine walks.
"We were just one hit away," Post 129 head coach Scott Morgan said. "Again, like the last game, we just have to get the timely hits.
"We have to be more aggressive at the plate. It's not for a lack of effort. We've seen the guys hit, but it is crucial this weekend to see the fastball and hit it."
Camden Vinup and Zach Docter led Hillsboro with two hits apiece. Derek Peters, Corey Walker and Blake Hildebrant each had one hit.
Both teams held the lead, with the visiting Post 184 squad taking a 2-0 lead following the top of the third inning.
Hillsboro responded with their best inning of the game, putting four runs on their side of the scoreboard in the bottom of the third.
In the bottom half of the third, Brent Shannon forced a one-out walk on a full count, followed by Walker drawing a walk on a 3-1 count. The bases were loaded when Vinup was safe on a fielder's choice, as Walker beat the throw to second base, sliding his way to keep the bases full.
Tyler Griego brought home Shannon on a bases-loaded walk five pitches later, and Peters tied the score by plating Walker with a single past the second baseman of Piqua.
Docter (2-for-2, one walk) put Post 129 in the lead with a base hit to left field on a 2-2 count, and the fourth run of the inning came when Griego scored on an errant throw to third base, with Griego racing home for the run.
Even with the four runs in the inning, Post 129 left two runners stranded, as they had just two hits but walked three times in the inning, as all four runs were scored with one out.
Post 129 added to their lead in the fourth with Walker rounding the bases on a base hit to left field for a three-run lead. Walker initially reached the bases on a two-out walk in a six-pitch at-bat.
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The score was eventually tied at five with the visitors scoring three runs in the top of the fifth as all the runs came with two outs. Hillsboro opened the top of the fifth with outs via ground out to third and second bases. From there, a batter was hit, then a single made it a 5-3 score.
From there, Piqua eventually stole home, making it a one-run differential. The differential soon turned to zero as they eventually scored their fifth run on an error.
Post 184 regained the lead in the sixth with the leadoff batter drawing a walk, stealing second, taking third on an infield error and scoring on a wild pitch.
An insurance run for Piqua was scored in the seventh with Piqua scoring on a play at the plate.
That final run proved to be the difference as Jared Halley scored a run in the bottom of the eighth for Post 129 off a 2-2 double to left field by Hildebrant.
The loss went to Luke Taggert as he pitched the first six innings, allowing four earned runs on three hits and six walks. Taggert struck out five and hit one batter.
Tyler Williams pitched one inning, and Vinup pitched the final two innings of relief. Williams allowed one run on two hits and one walk. Vinup pitched the eighth and ninth innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.
"Our pitching pitched well," Morgan said. "Luke had some quality innings, Tyler pitched well, and Camden had two good innings."
Hillsboro will host their annual Wooden Bat Tournament this weekend starting on Friday when they will host Findlay at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Post 129 will host Chillicothe Post 757 at 3 p.m. and the Troy Bombers at 5:30 p.m.
On Sunday, in the final day of the tournament, Post 129 will host Westerville South at 12:30 p.m. The two best teams from the tournament will play in the championship game at 3 p.m.