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PITTSBURG —
Pittsburg Post 64 came through with a crucial two-out hit with runners in scoring position and played with a little more energy and verve Saturday night after playing flat Friday morning against the Tulsa Oilers, resulting in a 9-2 win over Lawrence Free State at JayCee Ballpark.
“Yesterday was rough,” Post 64 assistant coach Nick Whetzell said. “They were really flat yesterday. It was a morning game, which it’s hard to wake up and come to the ballpark ready to go. But they need to work on that and tonight, I think we took a step forward.
“Tonight, we were much better on our energy. I mean, there’s still little things they need to work on as far as being flat and having energy on the field and hustling but a much better job tonight.”
With a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth and the bases loaded with Post 64 runners and no outs, Post 64 clearly needed a big hit to put some distance between them and Lawrence Free State.
After Bryan Wade hit into a 5-2 force at home and Nate Grimaldi popped out to third for back-to-back outs, it looked as if Post 64 was doomed to repeat its performance with runners in scoring position against the Tulsa Oilers.
However, outfielder Bryce Burdette and starting pitcher Sam Gilbert had alternative plans.
Burdette drew a bases-loaded walk to score Blake Vail, showing once again that Burdette has become the master of the bases-loaded walk in recent games — embodied by his walk-off walk Thursday night in extra innings against the Nebraska Sluggers at Al Ortolani Field.
Gilbert found a hole between Lawrence Free State second baseman Ryan Stagg and first baseman Zach Bickling and filled it with a two-run single, plating both Nick George and Wade.
Right fielder Jake Rogers made an offline throw which bounced away from the Lawrence Free State catcher and hustle, sheer advantageous hustle resulted in a third run on the hit and one more runner in scoring position for Post 64. Burdette made it home safely and Gilbert moved to second. Although Gilbert did not score on a Brett Macary single, Gilbert legged it home on a wild pitch and gave Post 64 its fifth run of the inning for a 8-2 lead.
“When we see errors happening, our guys are real good at taking advantage and taking the extra base, coming through with key hits and driving our runs in when we need them,” Whetzell said.
Pittsburg Post 64 came through with a crucial two-out hit with runners in scoring position and played with a little more energy and verve Saturday night after playing flat Friday morning against the Tulsa Oilers, resulting in a 9-2 win over Lawrence Free State at JayCee Ballpark.
“Yesterday was rough,” Post 64 assistant coach Nick Whetzell said. “They were really flat yesterday. It was a morning game, which it’s hard to wake up and come to the ballpark ready to go. But they need to work on that and tonight, I think we took a step forward.
“Tonight, we were much better on our energy. I mean, there’s still little things they need to work on as far as being flat and having energy on the field and hustling but a much better job tonight.”
With a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth and the bases loaded with Post 64 runners and no outs, Post 64 clearly needed a big hit to put some distance between them and Lawrence Free State.
After Bryan Wade hit into a 5-2 force at home and Nate Grimaldi popped out to third for back-to-back outs, it looked as if Post 64 was doomed to repeat its performance with runners in scoring position against the Tulsa Oilers.
However, outfielder Bryce Burdette and starting pitcher Sam Gilbert had alternative plans.
Burdette drew a bases-loaded walk to score Blake Vail, showing once again that Burdette has become the master of the bases-loaded walk in recent games — embodied by his walk-off walk Thursday night in extra innings against the Nebraska Sluggers at Al Ortolani Field.
Gilbert found a hole between Lawrence Free State second baseman Ryan Stagg and first baseman Zach Bickling and filled it with a two-run single, plating both Nick George and Wade.
Right fielder Jake Rogers made an offline throw which bounced away from the Lawrence Free State catcher and hustle, sheer advantageous hustle resulted in a third run on the hit and one more runner in scoring position for Post 64. Burdette made it home safely and Gilbert moved to second. Although Gilbert did not score on a Brett Macary single, Gilbert legged it home on a wild pitch and gave Post 64 its fifth run of the inning for a 8-2 lead.
“When we see errors happening, our guys are real good at taking advantage and taking the extra base, coming through with key hits and driving our runs in when we need them,” Whetzell said.
Gilbert provided five strong innings on the mound, only to be relieved by Vail in vintage flamethrower mode. Vail closed the door on Lawrence Free State with the assistance of four strikeouts in two innings.
“Blake’s thrown really well this summer,” Whetzell said. “As long as our guys throw strikes, we do well and make them hit the ball. We play solid defense and we win ballgames.”
Post 64 (11-3) won two of its four games in the Pittsburg Legion/Fort Scott Community College Classic — its two losses came against teams (Nebraska Sluggers, Tulsa Oilers) featuring players who have signed on with Division I programs (Wichita State, Oklahoma State).
Pittsburg Legion/Fort Scott Community College Classic
Pittsburg Post 64 9, Lawrence Free State 2
LFS 010 100 0 — 2
PITT 210 501 X — 9
Ryan Cantrell, Briggs Fish (5) and Jon Saathoff. Sam Gilbert, Blake Vail (6) and Dylan Gromer, Brett Macary (6). WP: Gilbert. LP: Cantrell. SB: Nate Grimaldi, Gilbert, Matt Standlee. SH: Casey Heamen. HBP: Joe Dineen; Nick George.
Pittsburg Legion/Fort Scott CC Classic schedule
Today
Butler County Cubs vs. Nebraska Sluggers (2), 9 a.m.
Lawrence Lions vs. Tulsa Oilers, 11:15 a.m.
Lawrence Free State vs. Tulsa Tide, 1:30 p.m.
Johnson County Hornets vs. Lawrence Lions, 3:45 p.m.
Kansas Crush vs. Lawrence Free State, 6 p.m.
Johnson County vs. Kansas Crush, 8:15 p.m.
