CODY LEIST

PDT Sports Writer

Before Post 23 took the Branch Rickey Park field Tuesday afternoon, coach Jack Branon addressed his team about the recent struggles and to find ways to get back on the right track.

After Tuesday’s doubleheader with Ashland (KY) Post 76 concluded, it looked as if the members of the blue and white received the message loud and clear. Alex Shears drove in four runs while Tyler Sanford hit a two-run home run to cap off a four-run third inning in support of Wade Martin’s complete game performance as Post 23 won the finale 7-1 after taking a 5-4 decision in the opener over the 76ers. The win gave the Portsmouth squad its first two-game sweep of the season.

“We finally played two good games back-to-back,” Post 23 interim coach Jay Bailey, filling in for the recovering Branon, said. “We limited our mistakes.”

Post 23 raced out to a 5-0 lead to the fourth inning. In the third, Shears’ two-run RBI knocked in Daulton Kenyon and Tate Bailey.

Later in the frame, Sanford deposited Drew Kidd’s offering just past the right side of the center field batter’s eye for his lone hit of the game.

“We put Tyler in the four hole and he came through,” Jay Bailey said.

Post 76 scored its lone run in the top of the fourth before Post 23 tacked on two in the bottom of the sixth to close out the scoring. It was more than enough for Martin, who struck out 10, allowed five hits and walked one for his second win of the year.

Post 23 turns its attention back to District 7 play today when Circleville Post 134 visits Scioto County for a single seven-inning contest.

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

Post 76 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 5 3

Post 23 0 1 4 0 0 2 x — 7 7 1

Post 76 — Delaney 1-4, Certain 1-3 (2B), Sublett 1-3 (R), Stewart 1-3, Fritz 1-3 (RBI), Simpkins 0-2 (BB).

Post 23 — Bailey 2-4 (2 R), Shupert 1-3 (SAC, R), Shears 2-3 (BB, 4 RBI, R), Sanford 1-4 (HR, 2 RBI, R), Hartley 0-4 (R), Shockley 0-2 (BB, RBI), Moore 0-1 (2 BB), Kenyon 0-2 (BB, R).

W — Miller (2-0)

L — Kidd (1-1)

Records — Post 76 3-5; Post 23 8-12.