Post 167 drop 3 over weekend
The Harrisburg American Legion baseball team is entering its stretch run before the 24th District Tournament begins July 14 in Carmi and during that time, head coach Cody Hall has had to run the gambit of managing a baseball team, including a wild weekend.
Post 167 comeback against Marion fell short Friday night as Harrisburg dropped a 5-3 decision and then Harrisburg lost a doubleheader against Owensboro Saturday, losing Game 2 3-2 in heartbreaking fashion.
In the Game 2 loss, Owensboro scored a run in the top of the eighth off Harrisburg reliever Brandon Banks, who went two innings and allowed one run on two hits, while striking out two.
Seth Quertermous got the start for Post 167 and went two innings, allowing two runs on two hits, while Garrett Rushing came on in relief and working four innings, striking out four and allowing just three hits.
Harrisburg tied the game at one with a run in the bottom of the first inning and after Owensboro took a 2-1 lead after two innings, Post 167 tied the game at two with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Harrisburg had 10 hits on the day as Ben Byrd continued his hot summer going 3-for-5 from the leadoff spot with one run scored.
Nick Walker, Josh Turnage and Gabe Fowler all had multiple hits as Walker drove in one run. Rushing went 1-for-3 and Kale Oglesby scored the other run for Harrisburg.
In the Game 1 loss, Turnage took the loss on the mound, going four innings and allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits, while striking out three and walking two.
Byrd came on in relief and allowed an unearned run on one hit, while striking out two and walking one.
At the plate, Harrisburg had eight hits on the afternoon as Byrd went 2-for-3 and Walker was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Fowler, Rushing, Oglesby and Colby Morse all had one hit. Rushing, Morse and Oglesby all had an RBI, while Banks scored two runs and Hunter Cullum scored one run.
Harrisburg has lost eight of its last 10 games, including losing Ethan Ashby to injury. Hall has called up a handful of players from the Harrisburg Junior American Legion team, including twins Colby and Krayton Morse, along with Brandon Banks and Easton Wallace.
Harrisburg concluded the home portion of its schedule with a game against Fairfield Monday night.
Post 167 will close out the regular season with away games at Highland (July 6), at Belleville (July 7) and Alton (July 8).
The 24th District Tournament will be played July 14-17 at Carmi. The winner of the 24th District Tournament will then play in the 5th Division Tournament July 22-26 in Aviston.
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.