In the midst of a genuine summer heat wave that altered the playing schedule slightly for the opening round of the Frank Riley American Legion District tournament that got underway this week, the top seeded St. Mary’s Post 255 (Bean) team broke open a tight contest with St. Mary’s Post 255 (Morgan) en route to a 14-4 victory on Tuesday evening at Chancellor’s Run Regional Park.
St. Mary’s Post 255 (Bean) arrived as the top seed in the current district tournament that is scheduled to run through July 19, weather permitting, and Tuesday they welcomed rival Post 255 (Morgan) for a belated start to the opening round. An excessive heat warning pushed the start of the contest back two hours to allow for slightly cooler temperatures to descend on the complex, although conditions were still uncomfortable when the game ended at 10:30 p.m.
Bean scored one run in the bottom of the first inning when Cam Bott singled, stole second then scored on a single by Conner Wilkerson. But that was the only run the hosts would get against Post 255 (Morgan) hurler Austin Ford, who departed after three complete innings. Bean starter Ryan Ludlow allowed one run in 3 2/3 innings, but like Ford did not factor in the decision.
“Ryan pitched well, but he was on a pitch count for the tournament,” Post 255 (Bean) manager Jason Bean said. “That’s one thing about these tournaments. You really have to keep close watch on pitch counts. You want to be able to have as many guys available for the championship game if you get that far.”
Morgan’s squad drew even in the top of the fourth, but runs became far more plentiful once both teams went to their reserves. Bean’s squad broke open a tight game by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the fourth. Brayden Langley walked five batters in the inning, all of which scored, and Blaine Brashear yielded run-scoring singles to Colby Hayden and Jared Harry.
“Austin pitched really well for three innings, but in these tournaments you’re also managing two and three games ahead,” said Post 255 (Morgan) coach Dwight Morgan, whose team was scheduled to play St. Mary’s 255 (Stefko) in an elimination game on Thursday. “They had that one big inning, but our guys didn’t back down. They kept fighting.”
Morgan’s team indeed had a mild answer, getting three runs in the top of the fifth to trim the gap to 9-4. But Bean’s team responded with five runs in the home half of the frame and again it was Hayden who came through in the clutch. For the second straight at-bat, Hayden delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded and the Bean team was again comfortably in front.
“I knew I had to be patient and just look for something good to drive,” Hayden said. “I just wanted to help my team in those situations. A lot of us are playing for this team for the last time. We’re focused on the big prize.”
St. Mary’s Post 255 is hosting the American Legion Mid-Atlantic Region II Tournament August 5-11, with all games being played at Joe Cannon Stadium in Anne Arundel County. Joe Cannon is also the site of the upcoming Maryland State Legion Tournament July 26-31 although Severna Park is listed as the host team for that event.
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