TERRE HAUTE – The pressure was on, and Post 72 responded with a 9-4 win over Lafayette in the second round of the American Legion State Tournament.
It was a “win or go home” contest in the losers bracket, and a five-run fifth inning broke open a close game.
Key hits, solid relief pitching and good defense set the tone for Post 72, whose 22nd win of the season allows them to advance another round in the state tournament. They stand at 22-11 while Lafayette’s season ends at 18-16. The defending champs suffered their fourth loss of the season to the team from Crawfordsville.
“We got some guys on and got some timely hits,” Post 72 coach Kyle Proctor said. “Lucas Gerkey was really good in relief and we played good defense. We live to fight another day.”
Gerkey, the Central Catholic star, took the mound in the fourth inning in relief of starting pitcher Bryce Dowell and threw 2.2 innings of relief. He allowed one hit, and the only other runner who reached base was on an error. He picked up the win, his third of the Legion season, and was taken out after throwing 30 pitches, which keeps him eligible to pitch in another game.
Cade Cole was the third pitcher, and while allowing a few runners, he struck out one and his defense got the needed outs to preserve the win. That defense turned in one double-play and Jarrod Kirsch had a pair of web-gems in left field, starting with a two-run saving, long run, for a catch in left field.
Cole was among the batting leaders as well, reaching base twice and scoring both times. Gerkey also got on twice and scored twice.
Dowell was big offensively, with three hits, including back-to-back doubles. He drove in two and scored two. Roman Utterback walked twice, got a hit, and drove in a pair of runs.
Lafayette scored in the first inning and took a 3-2 lead in the third, but Post 72 tied it in the fourth and had the big fifth inning.
The losers bracket saga continues for Post 72 on Sunday with a game against Valparaiso, in another “win or go home game.” Valpo lost to Rockport 5-1.
