Opportunistic Wheeling Advances Into Mid-Atlantic Regional Winner’s Bracket Final, 16-5
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RIDGE, Md. - For the first time in quite some time, Wheeling has won a pair of games to start the American Legion Mid-Atlantic Regional Baseball Tournament.
On Thursday, Post 1 was opportunistic as it took advantage of 20 base-on-balls and six wild pitches by Fort Cumberland in a 16-5 victory at cloudy and rainy Joe Cannon Stadium. It was the third time this season that Post 1, the West Virginia state champions, had beaten the Maryland state champs.
"The kids knew what they were up against. We had played them twice this summer," Poast 1 manager Jon-Michael Brunner said in a text message. "We knew they were a good team, well-coached and tough at the plate.
"Our message to the kids before the game was the same as always - to continue to play for what's on your chest and for something bigger than yourself," Brunner stressed. "Play for each other. Play for our city and our state."
With the run-away triumph, Post 1 (31-7) advanced to the winner's bracket final on Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the winner of Thursday's late game between Northeastern, Pa., and Brooklawn, N.J.
Wheeling jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings despite not having a base hit as Fort Cumberland used a pair of pitcher's early on to no avail. It used five total.
"The kids had some patient at-bats early on and trusted their abilities with two strikes," Brunner noted. "We came up with big hits in key spots. We preach two-strike, two-out hitting and grittiness.
"We had great pitching all day which kept us in a position to win."
Post 1 added to its margin with 4-spots in the fifth and sixth innings before tacking on a pair in the seventh.
Jaxon Murray and Andrew Skadra belted back-to-back two-run singles in the fifth. Alex Taylor's two-run base hit sparked the sixth-inning outburst.
Murray and Skadra evenly distributed six RBI, with Murray scoring three times. Jared Marsh doubled in a run and scored four runs from his leadoff spot. Taylor also touched home plate four times and singled twice. Dillon Wilson had two singles and an RBI. Braxton Billick also drove in a pair of runs. Preston Cole, the No. 9 hitter in the lineup, scored three times.
On the hill, Luke Doyle went the first four frames to earn the win. The lefty struck out one and walked three. Ryan Yates had two strikeouts and a pair of walks, while Rocco Paolina finished with three Ks and a like number of walks.
In addition to scoring 16 runs on 11 hits, Post 1 left an eye-popping 15 runners on base, five more than Fort Cumberland.
Brunner said he is enjoying watching Post 1 play like they are.
"I get to coach with my best friends," Brunner said in reference to his coaching staff. "They are the reason this program is making history. This team and these guys are the reason I love coming to the field."
Due to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby, rain delays could occur and push starting times back on Friday.