On the strength of a 12-run second inning, Post rolled to a 17-0, five inning win over Post 771/11 (Erie) in the opening round of the district tournament at Legion Field.

Ethan Wilson and Cale Hunt combined for a no-hitter in the win.

It wasn’t smooth sailing throughout. Wilson walked the bases loaded to start the game before getting Alec Dennis to strikeout. Erie thought they had a run, which would have been their first of the season, on J.T. Matson’s ground ball to third, but Post’s Zach Rohlin was able to step on third and throw Matson out at first to get Wilson out of the jam.

Tyler Gustafson singled to open the home half. He stole second and moved to third on an error. One out later, Gustafson scored when Ben Berdine reached on an error. Hunter Loomis followed with a walk and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Wilson shot a ground ball just off the glove of Mike Carman at short and both Berdine and Loomis came around to score and give Post a 4-0 lead after one.

Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg Post 135’s Dylan Maeder launches a 2-run triple during the second inning of a Junior Legion district tournament game against Post 771/11 (Erie) at Legion Field, Monday, July 9, 2018.

With one out in the second, JT Blum reached on an error. Knapp followed with a triple to right and scored as the throw bounced away from Dennis at third. James Swanson followed with a triple of his own and Berdine and Loomis drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Wilson grounded into a run-scoring fielder’s choice and Dylan Maeder followed with Post’s third triple of the inning. The blast plated two more and the rout was officially on.

Zach Rohlin walked and Bryce Blair was hit by a pitch to reload the bases. For the second time in the inning, Blum reached on an error, allowing Maeder to score. Gustafson drew a walk to bring in Blair and Swanson followed with his second, and Post’s fourth, triple of the inning. Berdine singled in Swanson and moved to second on a balk. Loomis’ single brought in Berdine, but Loomis was thrown out trying to take second to end the inning.

Post sent 15 batters to the plate, registered six hits, drew four walks and scored 12 runs.

Post drew a pair of walks in the third, but left the runners stranded.

Gustafson led off the fourth with a single, moved to second on Berdine’s walk and scored on Loomis’ single. Gustafson finished 3-3 with four runs scored and one RBI.

Swanson went 2-4 with two triples, two runs scored and three RBI. Berdine was 1-2 with three runs scored and two RBI.

On the mound, Wilson went three innings and allowed four walks while he struck out four. Hunt pitched the final two innings without allowing a runner.

Post next plays Wednesday, with opponent and location to be determined. South County and Conneaut played Monday, with the winner to face Wesleyville today. Post is set to meet the winner of Wesleyville and South County/Conneaut. Win or lose, Post will play again Thursday.

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Post 771/11 000 00 – 0 0 7

Post 135 4120 1x- 17 7 0

3b-James Swanson (W), 2, Tyler Gustafson (W), Dylan Maeder (W). WP-Ethan Wilson. LP-Andre Tucholski.