
By Dave Zander
Correspondent
Maple Lake Post 131 legion baseball traveled to Litchfield on Monday, July 15 to open the playoffs.
Litchfield hit well early and capitalized on a couple Irish errors to score four runs in the bottom of the first. The Irish got on the scoreboard in the top of the third when Danny Reilley lined a two-run missile over the left field wall cutting the deficit in half at 4-2. Litchfield added a run in the bottom of the fifth. The score remained 5-2 with Maple Lake down to its final at bat. With the season on the line, Reilley opened the inning with a walk, followed by three Irish singles by Wyatt Briemon, Jarrett Faue and Andy Schmitz plating a run and loading the bases for Gabe Jurgens. Jurgens hit a deep fly ball to right center for a two-run double game to tie the game at five. Nick Jost followed with a ground ball misplayed by the Dragon second base that scored Schmitz for a 6-5 lead.
Jarrett Faue was the winning pitcher. Faue pitched 6-2/3 innings recording nine strikeouts. Nathan Zander recorded the final out for the save. Reilley led the Irish offense with three hits and a walk.
Post 131 will travel to New London Spicer on Thursday, July 18.