In it’s previous two games, Post 624 scored a combined 25 runs in a Tuesday doubleheader against Fulton. On Thursday the team took to the field against Jefferson City, however the offensive production was not the same.
Post 624 scored a combined three runs in its doubleheader against Jefferson City, including a 10-0 shutout in game one.
Head coach Harv Antle thinks that the team may have still had some of its focus on the Fulton doubleheader, and may not have been ready to play the first game against Jefferson City.
“Certainly not in the first game, we didn’t give really good effort….it may have been a letdown after Tuesday night…I think we may have been flat,” Antle said. “In the second game I think we gave a better effort…I think they rebounded nicely.”
Jefferson City Post 5 jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, and the score remained the same until the bottom of the fourth inning. Post 5 added four runs in the fourth inning, and another four runs in the fifth inning for the final score.
Post 624 managed two hits compared to Post 5s nine. Derek Van Kluyve started the game for Post 624 and pitched 3.2 innings. Van Kluyve struck out two batters and allowed six hits.
Post 5 built another early lead in the second game of the evening, scoring seven runs in the second inning to take an 8-0 lead.
Post 624 answered back with one run in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, but it was not enough to avoid falling 9-3.
Antle believes that his team has improved in several facets of the game during the season, but says that the defense is still inconsistent. He says his team still commits too many errors at times. Post 624 recorded six errors in the two games, leading to three unearned runs.
Ryan Moriarity started the second game for Post 624. He worked four innings, and struck out four batters. Junior Mustain pitched two innings of scoreless relief to finish the game.
Centerfielder Cody Moore was 2-4 with one RBI for Post 624, while infielder Nick Giordano was 1-4 with one RBI.
While wins have been hard to come by this season for Post 624, Antle says he is proud for his team for not quitting.
“We talked about finishing strong…they’ve battled through some tough times all summer long and they haven’t quit yet so we don’t expect that now,” Antle said.
The team will play its final home game of the season on Saturday, when it takes on West Plains at 1 p.m. It will then move to the Legion District Tournament, which will be held at William Woods University, in Fulton.
Antle is optimistic about the tournament, saying that “when you get to the district tournament, it doesn’t matter what everybody’s record is.”
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