CODY LEIST

PDT Sports Writer

Post 23 proved Saturday that no matter how tough it might be to produce hits early in a game, getting the knocks in the final at-bat can prove to be the most important.

In both home contests with District 7 foe Washington Court House 25, Post 23 used its last time at the plate to score the necessary runs to become victorious in games of 2-1 and 3-2. The victories give Post 23 its longest winning streak of the summer at five games.

Post 23 drew first blood in the opener when Tyler Sanford led off the second with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by C.J. Burk. After Sanford’s hit, Aces starter Nick Garrett retired the next 12 batters he faced.

Post 25 pushed the tying run across in the fifth when Michael Penwell’s RBI groundout scored Colton Sanderson. The Aces threatened in the next frame with the bases loaded and one out.

Dylan Shockley, who replaced starter Will Howard on the mound after allowing two runners to reach base, loaded the bases when Trevor Bain forced Tate Bailey to commit an error at shortstop. But Shockley caught a break when Sanderson lined to Daulton Kenyon and flipped to Brett Hood to double up Bain and end the inning.

In the home half of the sixth, Tas Shupert led off with a single and Tyler Noel’s sacrifice bunt forced catcher Bret Starkey’s throw off target and create an error. Two batters later, Hood drove in Shupert for the eventual game-winning run.

Post 25 started off the second inning of the finale with back-to-back singles off Sanford, who pitched the entire second game. Tyler Spears’ comeback shot to Sanford forced the Minford graduate to make an attempt to cut down the lead runner at third.

Sanford’s throw to Derek Moore was not completed and Starkey scored to make it 1-0. Bain’s sacrifice fly scored Matt Jones and gave the Aces a 2-0 lead.

On the mound, Post 25’s Tyler Penwell kept a no-hitter into the fifth despite walking seven entering the inning. He walked Hood to start the sixth and two batters later, Wade Martin’s triple cut the lead in half.

Penwell was relieved in favor of Spears. The next batter was Shupert, whose single scored Martin and tied the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, Bailey reached with a one-out double and made it to third on a wild pitch. After Martin struck out, Shupert’s single to the right side of the infield plated his high school teammate at West to end the game.

Sanford improved to 3-2 on the season as he went the distance. Shockley claimed the victory in 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Post 23 returns to play today with another District 7 seven-inning doubleheader with Chillicothe Post 62 at Ross County Park. Post 23 interim coach Jay Bailey declined comment after Saturday’s games.

Cody Leist can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 242, or cleist@heartlandpublications.com.

Game 1

Post 25 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 — 1 5 1

Post 23 0 1 0 0 0 1 x — 1 3 2

Post 25 — Sanderson 0-3 (BB, R), Warning 2-4, Snyder 1-4, Penwell 1-3 (BB, RBI), Spears 1-3, Voltz 0-0 (3 BB).

Post 23 — Noel 0-2 (SAC), Hood 1-3 (RBI), Sanford 1-2 (2B, R), Moore 0-1 (SAC), Burk 0-1 (SAC, RBI), Shupert 1-2 (R).

W — Shockley (1-0)

L — Garrett (1-1)

Records — Post 25 2-4 (1-1); Post 23 10-12 (4-5).

Game 2

Post 25 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 5 0

Post 23 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 — 3 4 2

Post 25 — Sanderson 2-3 (2 2B, BB), Snyder 0-1 (BB, SB), Starkey 1-3 (R), Jones 1-3 (R), Spears 1-3, Bain 0-2 (SAC, RBI).

Post 23 — Noel 0-3 (BB, SB), Hood 0-1 (3 BB, R), Bailey 1-4 (2B, R), Martin 1-4 (3B, RBI, R), Shupert 2-4 (SB, 2 RBI), Shockley 0-1 (2 BB), Kenyon 0-1 (2 BB).

W — Sanford (3-2)

L — Spears (0-1)

Records — Post 25 2-5 (1-2); Post 23 11-12 (5-5).