State Champs: Post 11 Juniors win American Legion state tournament for the first time ever

LANCASTER – The Lancaster Post 11 Juniors did something they have never done: win the American Legion Junior state championship.

Post 11 earned the state title in the double-elimination tournament held at Beaver’s Field, which began Thursday and ended Sunday with a thrilling, nine-inning 1-0 win over Bettsville Post 733.

Post 11 started the tournament with a loss before fighting its way back and after. On Friday, Post 11 defeated Marietta Post 64 7-5 and Utica Post 92 11-3 and followed it up with a pair of wins on Saturday by defeating Chillicothe Post 757 11-3 and Bettsville 3-2 to force Sunday’s championship game.

AJ Holbrook went the distance during Saturday’s must-win game against Bettsville, giving up just four hits, two earned runs, and five strikeouts.

In the championship game on Saturday, Eli Wolfe started and pitched seven-plus innings and didn’t allow a run. He finished with four strikeouts and gave up three hits. Brady Farmer came on in relief to pick up the win. He did not allow a hit in his one-plus innings of work.

Post 11’s defense was outstanding throughout the tournament.