Post 5 Seniors advance to championship round

MOBERLY, Mo. - The Jefferson City American Legion Post 5 Seniors are a win away from the Zone 1 Tournament championship.

Post 5 rallied from an early four-run deficit Saturday afternoon to take a 7-6 decision from Washington Post 218 in the winner's bracket final. With the victory, Post 5 (38-4) advances to Sunday's championship round.

Post 218 scored four times in the second to take the early lead. Post 5 cut the deficit in half with two runs in the third.

Post 5 then scored a run in the sixth and added two more in the seventh and eighth to take a 7-4 advantage. Post 218 scored two runs in the ninth to make the final 7-6.

Connor Hager and Corey Beard had three hits each in an 11-hit Post 5 attack. Cole Distler added two hits.

Dylan Brauner and Hager scored two runs each, while Distler drove in two runs. Brauner, Patrick Schnieders and Garrett Haslag also had RBI for Post 5.

Schnieders got the win on the mound, working the first 6 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two. Collin Brinker got the save. In the final 2 2/3 innings, he allowed two runs on three hits and three walks.

Post 5, now 3-0 in the double-elimination tournament, will face Washington in the title round. Sunday's first title game is scheduled for 1 p.m. If needed, a second game will follow at 4 p.m.

Washington advanced with an 8-5 victory against West of O'Fallon on Saturday night in an elimination contest.