|
|
|
PITTSBURG —
Pittsburg Post 64 (29-12) begins play Wednesday in the Kansas American Legion Class AAA State Tournament against Zone 1 winner Leavenworth.
Post 64 stands as the lone representative from its Zone after both Lawrence and Tonganoxie said they could not field teams at state. Lawrence had players wanting to leave for college and Tonganoxie multiple players leaving for vacation. The Easton Outlaws fill in and play host Manhattan in the late game Wednesday night, following Pittsburg-Leavenworth (a 5 p.m. start).
Head coach Mike Watt said that he saw playing three games against Lawrence and Tonganoxie in the blazing sun at JayCee Ballpark last Thursday and Friday as preparation for state.
“We played a very good team right there,” Watt said after Post 64 blanked Lawrence 3-0 Friday afternoon. “We split with a very good team and they would do well at the state tournament. They’re very competitive. Hopefully, with the tough schedule we’ve played all summer, we’re well-prepared for state because that’s what we’ve played for all summer.”
Post 64 pitchers Matt Standlee, V.J. Piccini, Blake Vail and Christian Cedeno allowed four runs over the course of 20 innings pitched and three games.
Standlee fanned eight Lawrence batters over six innings during a tough 2-0 loss Thursday night.
Vail allowed only two runs against Tonganoxie — both in the fifth inning and both after Post 64 deposited 14 consecutive runs to start the contest.
Cedeno pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out 11 during his seven-inning gem, including three each in the second and seventh innings.
On Friday, Post 64 delivered timely hitting, which had proved elusive Thursday night against Lawrence. Against Tonganoxie, Brett Macary drove in three runs in the first inning alone; Macary drove in four against Tonganoxie and one against Lawrence. Overall, Post 64 posted 24 hits Friday.
Post 64 played like a different team on Friday, showcasing its best sides.
The Leavenworth Diamond Jaxx won the Zone 1 Tournament last weekend by scoring 46 runs in three games over three days — defeating the Easton Outlaws 15-0 in the championship game. The Jaxx defeated the Outlaws 17-7 on Friday and the Outlaws beat Geiger Ready-Mix 22-11 on Saturday to earn a return match with the Jaxx.
Salina (Zone 6) and Newton (Zone 5) get the festivities started Wednesday morning at 11 a.m., followed by Hays (Zone 7) and Winfield (Zone 4).
At least five Post 64 players have fond memories of Manhattan — Standlee, Vail, Macary, Bryce Burdette and Bryan Wade — since Frontenac High School recently won its first state baseball title in the Class 3A Tournament hosted by Kansas State and played at Tointon Family Stadium.
In addition, St. Mary’s Colgan graduate Sam Gilbert played in the KABC All-Star Game in Manhattan not long after the completion of the 2012 high school baseball season.
Pittsburg Post 64 (29-12) begins play Wednesday in the Kansas American Legion Class AAA State Tournament against Zone 1 winner Leavenworth.
Post 64 stands as the lone representative from its Zone after both Lawrence and Tonganoxie said they could not field teams at state. Lawrence had players wanting to leave for college and Tonganoxie multiple players leaving for vacation. The Easton Outlaws fill in and play host Manhattan in the late game Wednesday night, following Pittsburg-Leavenworth (a 5 p.m. start).
Head coach Mike Watt said that he saw playing three games against Lawrence and Tonganoxie in the blazing sun at JayCee Ballpark last Thursday and Friday as preparation for state.
“We played a very good team right there,” Watt said after Post 64 blanked Lawrence 3-0 Friday afternoon. “We split with a very good team and they would do well at the state tournament. They’re very competitive. Hopefully, with the tough schedule we’ve played all summer, we’re well-prepared for state because that’s what we’ve played for all summer.”
Post 64 pitchers Matt Standlee, V.J. Piccini, Blake Vail and Christian Cedeno allowed four runs over the course of 20 innings pitched and three games.
Standlee fanned eight Lawrence batters over six innings during a tough 2-0 loss Thursday night.
Vail allowed only two runs against Tonganoxie — both in the fifth inning and both after Post 64 deposited 14 consecutive runs to start the contest.
Cedeno pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out 11 during his seven-inning gem, including three each in the second and seventh innings.
On Friday, Post 64 delivered timely hitting, which had proved elusive Thursday night against Lawrence. Against Tonganoxie, Brett Macary drove in three runs in the first inning alone; Macary drove in four against Tonganoxie and one against Lawrence. Overall, Post 64 posted 24 hits Friday.
Post 64 played like a different team on Friday, showcasing its best sides.
The Leavenworth Diamond Jaxx won the Zone 1 Tournament last weekend by scoring 46 runs in three games over three days — defeating the Easton Outlaws 15-0 in the championship game. The Jaxx defeated the Outlaws 17-7 on Friday and the Outlaws beat Geiger Ready-Mix 22-11 on Saturday to earn a return match with the Jaxx.
Salina (Zone 6) and Newton (Zone 5) get the festivities started Wednesday morning at 11 a.m., followed by Hays (Zone 7) and Winfield (Zone 4).
At least five Post 64 players have fond memories of Manhattan — Standlee, Vail, Macary, Bryce Burdette and Bryan Wade — since Frontenac High School recently won its first state baseball title in the Class 3A Tournament hosted by Kansas State and played at Tointon Family Stadium.
In addition, St. Mary’s Colgan graduate Sam Gilbert played in the KABC All-Star Game in Manhattan not long after the completion of the 2012 high school baseball season.
