After three come from behind wins win in the Reunion Classic hosted by Northbrook Post 791, Post 34 took a different approach to claim a victory. After two innings, Post 34 led 7-0 but had to hold on late in the game as Northbrook made a furious comeback. In the end Post 34 won 13-10, claiming their 14th consecutive win and second tourney title in eight days.
Game 14: Post 34 - 13 Northbrook - 10
Had there been a tournament MVP, Garrett Stallings would have been it. For the tournament, Stallings was 14-18 in the tournament including seven doubles, one triple, and three home runs. Stallings started the scoring in the first when he triple to drive in Tanner Ashcraft who had singled with two outs.
In the second, Post 34 would jump out to a 7-0 lead on hits by Austin Alexander, Blake Herren, Ashcraft, and Stallings. Also in the inning, Jacob Bush, Cameron Sanders, and Austin Dickerson would reach via walks. Post 34 would add a run in the third after a single by Blake Herren and walks to Dickerson, Bush, and Sanders.
Mason Morris would claim his second tournament championship win of the tournament throwing a complete game and striking out 11. Northbrook would score three in the third, three in the fifth, and four in the sixth but in the seventh with Post 34 holding on to a 13-10 lead, Morris struck put the side to get the complete game win.
Heading into bottom of the fifth, Northbrook had brought the game to within one run at 8-7. Post 34 would not relinquish the lead however. After a walk to Blake Herren, three doubles by Post 34 would produce three runs. Jordan Cooley brought in Herren and with one out, Sanders would bring in Cooley. With two outs, Stallings would double to bring in Sanders and push Post 34 further in front by a score of 11-7.
In the sixth, after Northbrook once again got within one run, Post 34 added two runs. Lead off walks to Dickerson and Herren followed by a sac bunt by Jordan Cooley put runners at second and third with one out. Dickerson would score on Bush's sac fly to right. Following three walks to Sanders, Ashcraft, and Stallings, Herren would score.
After Morris' best inning of the night in the top of the seventh, Post 34 claimed the championship of the Reunion Classic by a final of 13-10.
Hitters with multiple hits:
Tanner Ashcraft (2-3, 2 singles)
Garrett Stallings (4-4, single, 2 doubles, triple)
Blake Herren (2-2, single & double)
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Monday, July 11, 2011
Day Ten - Northbrook, Illinois
After twelve games in 9 days, we had seen comebacks, big innings, and huge rallies with two outs. Those were nothing compared to what we would see in game 13 of our trip. Post 34 rallied to win 16-15 in eight innings over St. Charles Post 342 and advance to the championship game against Northbrook. Northbrook won two games on Sunday to make it to the championship game. In game 14 of our trip, the final game, Post 34 would once again defeat Northbrook by a score of 13-10.
Game 13: Post 34 - 16 St. Charles - 15 (eight innings)
Post 34 found itself in a huge hole before getting the opportunity to come to the plate. After the top of the first, Post 34 trailed 10-0. Garrett Stallings would hit his third home run of the tournament in the bottom of the first, scoring Tanner Ashcraft who had reached on a fielder's choice.
In the second inning, Trey Burkhalter came on in relief of starter Brad Phillips. Burkhalter held St. Charles scoreless through the fifth inning to allow Post 34 to get back into the game. Post 34 would score five runs in the bottom of the inning. Stallings doubled and Brandon Tubbs singled in the inning to bring the score to 10-7.
Post 34 would add a run in the third when Cameron Sanders singled in Jordan Cooley who had reached on a walk. There would be no scoring for either team until the sixth when St. Charles added five in the top half of the inning to push their lead to 15-8.
In the bottom of the sixth, Post 34 would once again make a comeback. Hits by Stallings, Austin Alexander, Austin Dickerson, and Jordan Cooley along with walks to Ashcraft, Tubbs, and Jacob Bush would bring Post 34 within two runs with two outs. On a pitch that bounced away from the St. Charles catcher, Cooley scored and Bush also scored as the throw from the catcher to the pitcher at the plate got away and went toward the St. Charles dugout. With the score now tied, both teams went three up, three down in the seventh.
Alexander came on to pitch the seventh and eighth innings for Post 34. Alexander faced 7 batters over the two innings with the only runner to reach base was via an error.
In the bottom of the eighth with one out, Bush would hit the first pitch well over the right centerfield wall to give Post 34 the walk off 16-15 win.
Hitters with multiple hits:
Jacob Bush (2-3, single & home run)
Garrett Stallings (3-5, single, double, & home run)
Brandon Tubbs (3-4, 3 singles)
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Game 13: Post 34 - 16 St. Charles - 15 (eight innings)
Post 34 found itself in a huge hole before getting the opportunity to come to the plate. After the top of the first, Post 34 trailed 10-0. Garrett Stallings would hit his third home run of the tournament in the bottom of the first, scoring Tanner Ashcraft who had reached on a fielder's choice.
In the second inning, Trey Burkhalter came on in relief of starter Brad Phillips. Burkhalter held St. Charles scoreless through the fifth inning to allow Post 34 to get back into the game. Post 34 would score five runs in the bottom of the inning. Stallings doubled and Brandon Tubbs singled in the inning to bring the score to 10-7.
Post 34 would add a run in the third when Cameron Sanders singled in Jordan Cooley who had reached on a walk. There would be no scoring for either team until the sixth when St. Charles added five in the top half of the inning to push their lead to 15-8.
In the bottom of the sixth, Post 34 would once again make a comeback. Hits by Stallings, Austin Alexander, Austin Dickerson, and Jordan Cooley along with walks to Ashcraft, Tubbs, and Jacob Bush would bring Post 34 within two runs with two outs. On a pitch that bounced away from the St. Charles catcher, Cooley scored and Bush also scored as the throw from the catcher to the pitcher at the plate got away and went toward the St. Charles dugout. With the score now tied, both teams went three up, three down in the seventh.
Alexander came on to pitch the seventh and eighth innings for Post 34. Alexander faced 7 batters over the two innings with the only runner to reach base was via an error.
In the bottom of the eighth with one out, Bush would hit the first pitch well over the right centerfield wall to give Post 34 the walk off 16-15 win.
Hitters with multiple hits:
Jacob Bush (2-3, single & home run)
Garrett Stallings (3-5, single, double, & home run)
Brandon Tubbs (3-4, 3 singles)
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Day Nine - Northbrook, Illinois
Since we did not have a game until 7 pm, we spent most of the day in Chicago. We spent the night before at Navy Pier so we chose to go the area where Wrigley Field is located. We took a tour of Wrigley that included going into both clubhouses, the Cubs dugout, press box, and the bleachers. We also went to Giordano's for Chicago style pizza.
Saturday's game would be a rematch of the 1967 American Legion World Series between Post 34 and Northbrook Post 791. Post 34 took two of three games in 1967 including a 1-0 win in the championship game. Another slow start for Post 34 would make for more late inning heroics as Post 34 won 12-10.
Game 12: Post 34 - 12 Northbrook - 10
Post 34 allowed Northbrook a six run lead before finally getting on the board in the fourth inning. With one out, Tanner Ashcraft singled and Garrett Stallings followed with a home run to cut the lead to 6-2. In the fifth, Post 34 was unable to score but in the bottom half of the inning, Northbrook added two more runs to make it 8-2.
In the top of the sixth, Jacob Bush, Cameon Sanders, and Ashcraft singled to lead off the inning. Following a walk to Stallings, Brandon Tubbs doubled and Austin Alexander singled to bring Post 34 within two runs. In the bottom of the inning, Northbrook would again add two more runs to push the score to 10-6.
In the seventh, the first two Post 34 batters were retired but a walk to Cameron Sanders provided life. A double from Ashcraft followed by singles from Stallings and Tubbs brought the score to within two at 10-8. With Stallings at third and Trey Burkhalter, who was pinch running for Tubbs, at first, Austin Alexander tripled to left field to tie the game at 10. Blake Herren walked and stole second to bring up Austin Dickerson. Dickerson singled into right-centerfield to give Post 34 the 12-10 lead.
Jacob Bush came on in the 7th in relief of starter Gregg Adcock to get the save. The bottom of the seventh was not without drama however. After retiring the first two hitters, Bush would walk the Northbrook lead off hitter and hit the next hitter. An infield single, would load the bases and bring the clean up hitter to the plate. On a 2-2 pitch, a ground ball to first base would end the game and give Post 34 it's twelfth win in a row.
Players with multiple-hits:
Tanner Ashcraft (3-3, two singles & double)
Garrett Stallings (2-3, home run & single)
Brandon Tubbs (2-4, single & double)
Austin Alexander (3-4, single, double, & triple)
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Saturday's game would be a rematch of the 1967 American Legion World Series between Post 34 and Northbrook Post 791. Post 34 took two of three games in 1967 including a 1-0 win in the championship game. Another slow start for Post 34 would make for more late inning heroics as Post 34 won 12-10.
Game 12: Post 34 - 12 Northbrook - 10
Post 34 allowed Northbrook a six run lead before finally getting on the board in the fourth inning. With one out, Tanner Ashcraft singled and Garrett Stallings followed with a home run to cut the lead to 6-2. In the fifth, Post 34 was unable to score but in the bottom half of the inning, Northbrook added two more runs to make it 8-2.
In the top of the sixth, Jacob Bush, Cameon Sanders, and Ashcraft singled to lead off the inning. Following a walk to Stallings, Brandon Tubbs doubled and Austin Alexander singled to bring Post 34 within two runs. In the bottom of the inning, Northbrook would again add two more runs to push the score to 10-6.
In the seventh, the first two Post 34 batters were retired but a walk to Cameron Sanders provided life. A double from Ashcraft followed by singles from Stallings and Tubbs brought the score to within two at 10-8. With Stallings at third and Trey Burkhalter, who was pinch running for Tubbs, at first, Austin Alexander tripled to left field to tie the game at 10. Blake Herren walked and stole second to bring up Austin Dickerson. Dickerson singled into right-centerfield to give Post 34 the 12-10 lead.
Jacob Bush came on in the 7th in relief of starter Gregg Adcock to get the save. The bottom of the seventh was not without drama however. After retiring the first two hitters, Bush would walk the Northbrook lead off hitter and hit the next hitter. An infield single, would load the bases and bring the clean up hitter to the plate. On a 2-2 pitch, a ground ball to first base would end the game and give Post 34 it's twelfth win in a row.
Players with multiple-hits:
Tanner Ashcraft (3-3, two singles & double)
Garrett Stallings (2-3, home run & single)
Brandon Tubbs (2-4, single & double)
Austin Alexander (3-4, single, double, & triple)
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Saturday, July 9, 2011
Day Eight - Northbrook, Illinois
We started out slow today but we did manage to come away with two wins. We had to battle back in the last inning of the first game to defeat Elk Grove, 10-6. We then defeated Barrington 13-1.
Game 10: Post 34 - 10 Elk Grove - 6
After two innings of play, Post 34 was trailing by more runs than it had the entire trip. Elk Grove jumped out to a 6-2 lead. Post 34 had scored two runs in the top of the first, after a double by Jacob Bush, single by Tanner Ashcraft, and a double by Garrett Stallings. Elk Grove would score 3 in each of the first two innings mainly on walks and errors.
In the fourth inning, Post 34 would add a run when Austin Dickerson singled in Austin Alexander who had reached on a double. The score would remain 6-4 going into the seventh inning.
In the seventh with two outs, Post 34 managed to score 7 runs. Cameron Sanders led off the inning with a double. With one out Garrett Stallings beat out a possible inning ending double play to put runners at the corners. With two outs, Brandon Tubbs walked and Alexander was hit by a pitch to bring Post 34 within a run. Blake Herren then singled into the four hole to score Stallings from third and Brandon Tubbs from second. Following a walk to Austin Dickerson to again load the bases, Jordan Cooley doubled into right centerfield and scored when Jacob Bush stole second.
Chase Sullivan started for Post 34 and pitched five innings. He struck out four and allowed 5 hits. After a shaky start the first two innings, Sullivan held Barrington scoreless and retired nine of eleven batters he faced.
Jacob Bush came on in relief in the sixth inning to get the win. Bush did not give up a hit and the only runners were a walk in the sixth and an error in the seventh.
Game Eleven: Post 34 - 13 Barrington - 1
Post 34 picked up where they left off by scoring 6 runs in the top of the first against Barrington Post 158. Bush, Sanders, Ashcraft, and Stallings started off the game with hits. That was followed by a walk to Tubbs. A double by Alexander and a single by Herren capped off the scoring.
Post 34 would add single runs in the second and third innings. Ashcraft, who had reached on a walk, scored on Stallings two out double in the second inning. In the third, Herren reached on an error and later scored on a double by Jordan Cooley.
Austin Alexander hit a three run home run in the fourth to score Stallings (single) and Tubbs (double). Herren walked following the home run and later scored on Cooley's second double of the night. In the fifth, Post 34 scored on a Garrett Stallings home run to give Post 34 the 13-1 win.
Terran Cochran threw all five innings for the win.
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Game 10: Post 34 - 10 Elk Grove - 6
After two innings of play, Post 34 was trailing by more runs than it had the entire trip. Elk Grove jumped out to a 6-2 lead. Post 34 had scored two runs in the top of the first, after a double by Jacob Bush, single by Tanner Ashcraft, and a double by Garrett Stallings. Elk Grove would score 3 in each of the first two innings mainly on walks and errors.
In the fourth inning, Post 34 would add a run when Austin Dickerson singled in Austin Alexander who had reached on a double. The score would remain 6-4 going into the seventh inning.
In the seventh with two outs, Post 34 managed to score 7 runs. Cameron Sanders led off the inning with a double. With one out Garrett Stallings beat out a possible inning ending double play to put runners at the corners. With two outs, Brandon Tubbs walked and Alexander was hit by a pitch to bring Post 34 within a run. Blake Herren then singled into the four hole to score Stallings from third and Brandon Tubbs from second. Following a walk to Austin Dickerson to again load the bases, Jordan Cooley doubled into right centerfield and scored when Jacob Bush stole second.
Chase Sullivan started for Post 34 and pitched five innings. He struck out four and allowed 5 hits. After a shaky start the first two innings, Sullivan held Barrington scoreless and retired nine of eleven batters he faced.
Jacob Bush came on in relief in the sixth inning to get the win. Bush did not give up a hit and the only runners were a walk in the sixth and an error in the seventh.
Game Eleven: Post 34 - 13 Barrington - 1
Post 34 picked up where they left off by scoring 6 runs in the top of the first against Barrington Post 158. Bush, Sanders, Ashcraft, and Stallings started off the game with hits. That was followed by a walk to Tubbs. A double by Alexander and a single by Herren capped off the scoring.
Post 34 would add single runs in the second and third innings. Ashcraft, who had reached on a walk, scored on Stallings two out double in the second inning. In the third, Herren reached on an error and later scored on a double by Jordan Cooley.
Austin Alexander hit a three run home run in the fourth to score Stallings (single) and Tubbs (double). Herren walked following the home run and later scored on Cooley's second double of the night. In the fifth, Post 34 scored on a Garrett Stallings home run to give Post 34 the 13-1 win.
Terran Cochran threw all five innings for the win.
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Day Seven - Notre Dame & White Sox Game
We spent day seven touring Notre Dame and the College Football Hall of Fame. We then traveled to Chicago and checked into our hotel. That night went to US Cellular Field to watch the White Sox take on the Minnesota Twins.
The dad of one of the players for South Bend Post 50 works in Public Relations at Notre Dame. He led us on a tour that included going into the football stadium and the locker room. It was an incredible experience for all of us, even this die hard Alabama fan. We also toured the College Football Hall of Fame which is also located in South Bend.
Although the Twins-White Sox wasn't much of a game, the stadium was nice and we had pretty good seats down the right field line. Twins won 6-2.
We were off on Day Seven, our first off day in nearly a week. We have played extremely well on this trip going 9-0 heading into the tournament in Northbrook, Illinois. Our record on the season is 29-9.
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The dad of one of the players for South Bend Post 50 works in Public Relations at Notre Dame. He led us on a tour that included going into the football stadium and the locker room. It was an incredible experience for all of us, even this die hard Alabama fan. We also toured the College Football Hall of Fame which is also located in South Bend.
Although the Twins-White Sox wasn't much of a game, the stadium was nice and we had pretty good seats down the right field line. Twins won 6-2.
We were off on Day Seven, our first off day in nearly a week. We have played extremely well on this trip going 9-0 heading into the tournament in Northbrook, Illinois. Our record on the season is 29-9.
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