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Game 5 - August 12, 2016

Shelby, NC - A little more than 24 hours after losing a 3-0 lead in a loss to Indiana, Rowan County (N.C.) Post 342 made sure an early lead Friday didn’t disappear.

Post 342 jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Omaha (Neb.) Post 1 in the second inning, extended it to 5-0 before holding off a late rally to win 5-2 and move to 1-1 in American Legion World Series pool play.

Rowan County (39-13) paired up four hits with three walks to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the second. Two hits and a walk loaded the bases for Trevor Atwood, who drew a free pass to bring home Juan Garcia.

Tanner File followed with an RBI single to score Brandon Walton, and Chandler Blackwelder’s deep fly ball brought home Jake Pritchard.

After both teams went scoreless for the next three innings, Post 342 strung together two hits and a fielder’s choice to put runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved both runners up, and Walton followed with a looping single into right field that brought Lee Poteat and Garcia home, upping the advantage to 5-0.

Post 1 (59-4) finally got on the board when Craig Petrich smacked the ball over the left-center fence. Lucas Ripa followed with a double and was driven home on Brett Vosik’s double two batters later.

But Post 342 pitcher Bryan Ketchie, who had shut down Omaha prior to the eighth, got a strikeout to end the inning. Teammate Hunter Shepherd came on to start the ninth to get the final three outs and pick up the save.