CODY LEIST

PDT Sports Writer

Portsmouth Post 23 recorded its first hit and runs of the 2012 Gene Bennett Baseball Classic but two grand slams by the Midland Redskins were too much in a 20-4 contest that lasted six innings.

Zack Shannon led the Redskins with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate in which he accounted for one of the grand slams and also connected on a two-run home run in the second that gave Midland the lead for good. Andrew Benintendi was 3-for-5 from his leadoff spot with a double and three runs scored.

After trailing 3-0 before even swinging the bat for the first time, Post 23 dug out of the hole with three runs of their own on a two-out rally. Alex Hartley started the rally with one of the three hits recorded by Post 23 in the contest.

There were 15 bases on balls drawn by the two teams along with five hit batsmen. Dan Rosenbaum also accounted for the other Redskin grand slam, which came in the fourth.

Post 23 takes on Team Citius USA Red in the 3 p.m. matchup at Branch Rickey Park.

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

Midland 3 2 1 4 0 (10) — 20 10 3

Post 23 3 0 0 1 0 0 — 4 3 3

Midland — Benintendi 3-5 (2B, 3 R), Strong 0-1 (BB, 2 HBP, SAC, 2 SB, 4 R), Turnet 2-5 (2 R), Rosenbaum 1-3 (HR, BB, HBP, 2 SB, 4 RBI, 4 R), Schroeder 1-2 (2B, 2 BB, SAC, 5 RBI, R), Wiggins 1-5 (2B), Dundon 0-3 (BB, RBI, R), Kidston 0-0 (4 BB, 2 R), Hickman 0-3 (BB), Shannon 2-4 (2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R), Abbott 0-0 (R).

Post 23 — Boyer 1-3, Hartley 1-4 (R), Riehl 0-2 (BB, HBP, R), Howard 1-2 (HBP, R), Duduit 0-2 (BB), Brown 0-2 (BB), Kenyon 0-1 (2 BB).

W — Lakins (1-0)

L — Boyer

Records — Midland 10-0; Post 23 6-8.