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LANCASTER, Ohio - Runs were hard to come by in the latter stages of Sunday afternoon's elimination game for Beverly/Lowell Post 389/750 at the American Legion State Baseball Tournament.
Seeking to advance to Monday's championship round, Bev/Lowell lost to Napoleon 8-7 in eight innings. Post 389/750, which ended the campaign at 30-11 and hoping to defend last year's state title, was limited to one run over the final five innings.
Bev/Lowell's offense was in typical form from the start, scoring two runs in the first inning and another three in the second inning. Trailing 5-1, Napoleon sent 10 batters to the plate in the top of the third inning and scored five times.
Post 389/750 answered right back in the bottom half of the third. JR Curry led off with a triple and scored on a passed ball to even the score at 6.
The two teams traded runs in the fifth inning. Bev/Lowell scored its final run of the game on a squeeze bunt executed by No. 9 hitter Jack McCurdy, which brought home Wade Duskey.
Even though Napoleon pitchers kept Bev/Lowell off the board, Post 389/750 had its share of scoring opportunities - putting runners on first and second base with one out in the sixth and having the winning run on third base with only one out in the bottom of the seventh inning
In the eighth inning, the first three Napoleon batters reached base safely and scored the eventual game-winner on a fielder's choice.
Bev/Lowell was retired in order in its final at bat.
Monday's championship round pits Napoleon against Yeager/Benson - a rematch from the opening round which Yeager-Benson won 7-6.