It was a reversal of fortunes for the teams as Post earned the walk-off win in the first meeting June 12.

“Any time these teams play, I expect it will be close,” said Blair coach Jeff White.

Defense was on display early in the game. Drake Gens hit a one out double in the top of the first, but Blair catcher Aidan Morrison fired a throw to third to catch Gens’ attempted steal. From that point the game turned into a pitcher’s duel as Post’s Seth Baldensperger and Blair’s Matt Leonard allowed a combined six hits through six innings.

“Matt and Seth both threw really well,” said Post coach Daryl Baldensperger. “It was a good battle.”

Post 135 second baseman Drake Gens throws to first to record an out during against Blair during a Senior Legion baseball game at Legion Field, Wednesday, June 21, 2017.

Post opened the scoring in the fourth. Gens drew a one out walk, then advanced to third on a pair of passed balls. Gens scored when Seth Baldensperger reached on an error, giving Post a 1-0 lead.

Blair answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Colby Johnson led off with a single to the gap in left-center. Johnson went to second on a passed ball and stole third. Derek Reagle singled to score Johnson with one out. Baldensperger’s attempted pick-off throw went off first baseman Adam Munksgard’s glove and into the foul area in right field. Reagle raced around the bases and narrowly beat the throw home, giving Blair a 2-1 lead.

“Reagle’s a smart player and he read the play really well,” White said.

Post threatened again in the sixth. Gens again got things started, reaching on an error and advancing to second on the play. Lance Baldensperger followed with a single to left. Gens tried to score on the play, but Hunter Loomis’ strong throw beat Gens to the plate, preserving the lead.

“That was a big play,” White said. “Hunter can play anywhere for us.”

Blair’s Tanner Leichtenberger slides into third base following a rundown during the sixth inning against Post 135 at Legion Field, Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Because Leichtenberger touched the base while it was occupied by Nate Betts, Betts was called out on the play.

Blair had a chance to blow the game wide open in the bottom of the inning. Tanner Leichtenberger and Nate Betts drew back-to-back walks to lead off the inning. Colby Johnson reached on a sharply hit ball to short to load the bases. Post catcher Nick Hussey saw Leichtenberger getting a big secondary lead and threw down to third. Leichtenberger was caught in a rundown. While the rundown was on, both Betts and Johnson moved up a base. Leichtenberger touched third while Betts was on the base, leading Betts to be called out for two runners on. Leichtenberger was then tagged out trying to score during the confusion. Once the dust settled, Blair was left with two outs and a runner on second. A groundout ended the inning.

“(Hussey) took the initiative to throw down there,” Daryl Baldensperger said. “It took the momentum out of the inning for them.”

Post trailed 2-1 heading into the seventh. Seth Baldensperger led off with a walk and moved to second on Dominick Funari’s sacrifice bunt. He moved to third on a passed ball. Hussey then drew a walk, putting runners on the corners with one out. Munksgard popped out to shallow center, and Hussey was caught in no man’s land on the bases. Leonard threw to first attempting to double-up Hussey and end the game; however, Leonard had his back to the base and didn’t realize no Blair player was covering. The ball went to the fence and Baldensperger raced home to tie the game 2-2.

“Matt made a nice catch on that play,” White said. “We have the same color jerseys and he thought their coach was the first baseman.”

Leonard got things going in the bottom half, drawing a two out walk. He advanced to second on Evan Tremblay’s single, putting him in scoring position for White.

Seth Baldensperger went all seven innings, surrendered only five hits, walked three and struck out six. Leonard was equally as effective, going 6.1 innings, while giving up four hits, walking two and striking out six. Johnson got the win, pitchin