Sidney Post 217 falls short of 3rd straight state berth

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SIDNEY — Sidney Post 217 had a bad start in an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday and fell short in its bid for a third consecutive state berth. But with most players eligible to return next year, coach Daulton Mosbarger says the program is in a position to compete for a state berth next year.

Van Wert Post 178 scored five runs in the first inning to spark an 8-0 win over Sidney in a Region 2 tournament game. The loss eliminated Post 217 (19-15) from the tournament.

Sidney won the Western Ohio League for the third consecutive season — in part thanks to two one-run wins over Van Wert in regular-season play. The squad was presented with the WOL championship trophy after Wednesday’s loss.

“I told the guys afterwards that I was holding these trophies, and that means we’ve got a lot to be proud of,” Mosbarger said. “This is a successful summer. …Obviously we’re not fortunate enough to go to the state tournament, but winning the league outright and finishing second in the tournament gives the guys a lot to be proud of.”

Sidney managed three hits against Van Wert Post 178 starter Gavin Carter. Carter threw a complete game and had nine strikeouts with one walk.

“He pitched a great game,” Mosbarger said. “He kept our guys at bay the whole time. He got an early lead and pitched with it. Once they got those first runs on the board, they didn’t look back.”

Post 217 starting pitcher Dan Kearns, who threw a complete-game shutout against Greenville last week, allowed five runs on six hits in the top of the first inning.

After Alex Schneider flied out to right field, TJ Reynolds hit a single to shallow right field, Caleb Fetzer hit a double to center field and Jon Lee hit a single to center field that scored a run and put Post 178 up 1-0.

Reid Spencer then hit a grounder up the middle that scored two runs and Jaden Youtsey followed with a two-run home run over the center-field fence to push the lead to 5-0.

“(Kearns) threw a couple of pitches across the plate the first inning and was trying to establish his fastball, and they jumped all over them,” Mosbarger said. “They got a couple of big hits there. That double and home run really hurt us. That was a tough hole to climb out of.”

Spencer hit an RBI single in the fifth, after which Sidney brought in Evan Monnier to pitch in relief. Van Wert scored two runs on a ground out and passed ball before the end of the inning to push the lead to 8-0.

Post 217 didn’t have a base runner in the last three innings.

Post 178 had 11 hits. Lee was 3 for 3 with 1 RBI for Van Wert, Spencer was 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and Youtsey was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs. Dion Puthoff, Tyler Louden and Hunter Cohee hit singles for Post 217.

Mosbarger, a Bellefontaine and Ohio State grad, is in his first season as the program’s coach and plans to return next year. He is an assistant coach at Urbana University.

“There is a lot of guys that are just great guys to hang out with,” Mosbarger said of the squad. “Great energy — that’s always been good all summer. It’s light and it’s never been a bad day to come to the ball park with these guys.

… This has been a learning experience. I played Legion ball in high school, but that’s been eight years ago or so. I kind of knew a little of what to expect, but it’s a little different to be on this end of things. I didn’t know any of these kids coming from Bellefontaine, and I really enjoyed them.”

Most of the squad’s roster will be eligible to return to the 19-and-under program next season, including six of the players in the lineup on Wednesday.

“The guys that can come back, hopefully they’ll choose to stick around and play more Legion baseball,” Mosbarger said. “… I had a blast doing this. We’ve got some talented guys coming back, and I see Sidney Post 217 being able to succeed next year as well.”

Sidney Post 217’s Dan Kearns pitches against Van Wert Post 178 during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/07/web1_SDN072018LegionBase4.jpgSidney Post 217’s Dan Kearns pitches against Van Wert Post 178 during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Post 217’s Dion Puthoff dives back to first as Van Wert’s Tristen Wehner tries to pick him off during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/07/web1_SDN072018LegionBase3.jpgSidney Post 217’s Dion Puthoff dives back to first as Van Wert’s Tristen Wehner tries to pick him off during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Post 217’s Dion Puthoff dives back to first as Van Wert’s Tristen Wehner tries to pick him off during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/07/web1_SDN072018LegionBase2.jpgSidney Post 217’s Dion Puthoff dives back to first as Van Wert’s Tristen Wehner tries to pick him off during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field.Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Post 217’s Darren Hoying is unable to avoid Van Wert’s Jaden Youtsey at third base during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/07/web1_SDN072018LegionBase1.jpgSidney Post 217’s Darren Hoying is unable to avoid Van Wert’s Jaden Youtsey at third base during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Post 217’s Darren Hoying tags Van Wert’s TJ Reynolds at home after the ball pops out of his glove during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/07/web1_SDN072018LegionBase5.jpgSidney Post 217’s Darren Hoying tags Van Wert’s TJ Reynolds at home after the ball pops out of his glove during an American Legion tournament game on Wednesday at Custenborder Field. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
Van Wert Post 178 scores 5 runs in 1st, cruises to win

By Bryant Billing

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Reach Bryant Billing at 937-538-4818, or follow @SidneyOHSports on Twitter and @BryantBillingSDN on Facebook.

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