Effingham Seniors Down Steeleville in Fifth Division Tournament

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- Effingham Post 120 bounced back in loser bracket play to defeat Steeleville 6-4 in the American Legion Fifth Division Tournament Tuesday.

Steeleville edged out to a 1-0 first inning lead but Effingham came back with three runs in the top of the third. Steeleville tied the game with two outs in the fourth.

But Effingham pushed ahead 4-3 in the fifth then tacked on another run in the sixth to lead 5-3. In the eighth, Effingham's Walker reached base on an error and stole second. But he walked off the bag thinking the umpire called him out. Steeleville then attempted to throw him out but the throw went wide to third and allowed Walker to score for a 6-3 lead.

Steeleville tallied a final run in the bottom of the eighth.

Hayes had a single, home run and drove in three runs for Effingham while McDonald had two singles. Ruckman picked up the pitching win on a seven-hitter with five walks and four strikeouts.

Post 120 now advances to face Belleville at 1 p.m. today. Belleville fell to Murphysboro 5-2 Tuesday.

Louisville fell to Aviston in a close 2-1 contest. The loss eliminated Louisville from further tournament play.

Louisville took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth but Aviston came right back with two runs in the bottom of the frame and held on for the victory.

Cox had the lone extra base hit for Louisville with a double. Aviston had nine hits in the contest.

In the other contest, Edwardsville won over Fairview Heights 12-5. Today's other games feature Fairview Heights against Aviston at 4 p.m. and Murphysboro taking on Edwardsville at 7.

Fifth Division Tournament

At Fairview Heights

Effingham Post 120          003    011    010    --    6-9-0

Steeleville                           100    200    010    --    4-7-3

WP -- Ruckman. LP -- Venable.

Effingham Post 120 -- McDonald, 2 singles; Levitt, single; Hayes, single, home run, 3 RBI; Wright, single, 1 RBI; Levitt, single; Frey, single, 1 RBI; Traub, single

Steeleville -- Arbeiter, triple; Miles, 1 RBI; Winkelman, single, double; Lockhead, single; Kuhlman, 2 singles, 1 RBI; Dierks, single, 2 RBI

 Game Five

Louisville          000    100    000    --    1-4-1

Aviston             000    200    00x    --    2-9-0

WP -- Jackson. P -- Cox.

Louisville -- Clifton, single, 1 RBI; Walker, single; McKnelly, single; Cox, double

Aviston -- Timmerman, single; Wilken, single, 1 RBI; Meyer, single; Jackson, single; Gebke, 3 singles; Haake, single; Becker, single, 1 RBI