Effingham Post 120 Splits Victories at Firecracker Classic

MATTOON -- Effingham Post 120 split victories in the second day of play at the Mattoon Senior American Legion Firecracker Classic Thursday.

Effingham opened with a 6-1 loss to Macon County despite the efforts of Carter Hayes. Hayes did all he could to give Post 120 a boost, but it wasn't enough.

Post 120 was led by a flawless day at the dish by Hayes who went one-for-one with a single, two walks and was hit by a pitch against Macon County's pitching. He reached base all four times and scored Post 120's only run.

Macon County went up for good in the first, scoring one run on an RBI single by Franks. Macon County tacked on another five runs in the fourth. A single by Flanagan ignited the offense, scoring VanQualm.

Post 120 managed to score one run in the fifth on a fielder's choice. Swayde Sanders and Zach Gardewine had two singles each.

"We had one error but it was a ground ball with the bases loaded right between the wickets of an otherwise solid infielder," said Coach Brian Hayes. "Zac pitched a time-shortened great game with 76 pitchers, 72 percent of which were strikes. He had five strikeouts and no walks."

In the second contest, Alex Hoelscher went 1-for-3 and that one hit was a home run in the seventh inning as Post 120 scored a 7-3 victory over Vandalia Post 95.

The game's last lead went to Post 120 thanks to a first inning rally that saw one run cross the plate on an RBI single by Swayde Sanders. Post 120 scored two runs in each of the third, fifth and seventh. In the third, Post 120 scored on a passed ball, bringing home Hayes.

After pushing across three runs in the bottom of the fifth, Vandalia faced just a 5-3 deficit. An RBI single by Bray and a two-run double by Powless set off the Vandalia rally. Finally Preston Walker got Trexler to fly out to end the threat.

Post 120 piled on two more runs in the top of the seventh. A clutch passed ball scored Hayes to open the scoring in the frame. That was followed up by Hoelscher's solo shot. Hayes led off the seventh with a triple and scored on a passed ball with Sanders at the plate.

"It was a reward to see Preston pitch a great game and get the win," said Hayes. "The difference is the eight people around the pitcher. You get a few guys that take a siesta for three pitches on defense and not hit the ball and we lose You get all eight guys to play all 119 pitches and come ready to hit and we win. It was the same eight guys but they played like two different teams."

Post 120 will face Louisville at 3 p.m. today and against Mattoon at 6 p.m. at Grimes Field.

Teutopolis moved its record to a perfect 3-0 with two wins Thursday. T-town beat Olney 7-3 then blanked Robinson 10-0.

Shelby County Posts 289-611-725 fell twice. Shelby County lost to Danville Post 210 10-0. Danville stepped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning and finished with 11 hits in the contest.

Shelby County had only three hits and committed five errors. The three hits were a double by Nic Hutchinson and singles by Trevor Moore and Tyler Romack.

In the second contest, Moultrie-Douglas was a 5-2 winner. Moultrie-Douglas took a 3-0 first inning lead and never looked back. Shelby County's two runs came in the third.

Zach Monroe led Shelby County with a double and an RBI.

In other games, Rantoul 8, Moultrie-Douglas 4; Mattoon 11, Robinson 0; Danville 6, Rantoul 4; Louisville 14, Macon County 4; Mattoon 12, Olney 0 and Vandalia 8, Louisville 1.

Firecracker Classic

Game One

Effingham Post 120          000    010    --    1-6-1

Macon County                    100    50x    --    6-7-0

Effingham Post 120 -- Sanders, 2 singles;  Gardewine, 2 singles; Poland, single; Hayes, single

Game Two

Effingham Post 120          102    020    2    --    7-10-1

Vandalia Post 95               000    030    0    --    3-  6-3

Effingham Post 120 -- Hoelscher, home run, 1 RBI; Sanders, single, 1 RBI; Carie, 2 singles; Hayes, triple; Ruckman, double; Poland, 2 singles

Game One

Shelby County Legion Posts 289-611-725          000    000    --      3-  3-5

Danville Post 210                                                      002    314    --    10-11-0

WP -- Brazas. LP -- McConnell.

Shelby County Legion Posts 289-611-725 -- Moore, single; Hutchinson, double; Romack, single

Danville Post 210 -- Thompson, 2 singles; Darr, double, 3 RBI; Calhoun, 2 singles, double, 3 RBI; West, single, 1 RBI; Strembin, 2 singles, 1 RBI; Watkins, single, 1 RBI; Vascura, single

Game Two

Moultrie-Douglas County Legion                            301    001    0    --    5-8

Shelby County Legion posts 289-611-725          002    000    0    --    2-4

WP -- Williams. LP -- Jones.

Moultrie-Douglas County Legion -- Watson, single; Bates, 2 singles, 1 RBI; Armstrong, 2 doubles, 1 RBI; Hart, single; Hrvol, single, 1 RBI; Rose, single

Shelby County Legion Posts 289-611-725 -- Hendryx, single; Monroe, double, 1 RBI; Thies, single, 1 RBI; Moore, single