Jacksonville’s Post 316 edged Portland’s Post 158 in a game delayed nearly four hours by weather.
Jacksonville (Fla.) Post 316 won its 29th game in 30 contests Thursday night in its opening game of the American Legion World Series at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C.
But the 4-3 win over Portland (Ore.) Post 158 was a nailbiter like so many others this season, according to Post 316 coach Cory Goff.
“We've done that a lot this season where we come out with a big inning and the rest of the game is a sweat,” Goff said of a game in which all seven runs were scored in the second inning.
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PHOTO 1: Portland, Ore. Post 158 takes the field for Game 3. PHOTO 2: Jacksonville, Fla., Post 316 takes the field for Game 3. PHOTO 3: Pitcher Ryden Nakamura of Portland, Ore. Post 158. PHOTO 4: Tanner Upton of Jacksonville, Fla., Post 316 tags out Ryan Hemsley of Portland, Ore. Post 158. PHOTO 5: Pitcher Lukas Brougham of Jacksonville, Fla., Post 316. PHOTO 6: Ryan Hemsley of Portland, Ore. Post 158 runs the bases. Photos by Chet Strange
In the end, reliever and winner Cooper Kiker closed out the victory on a sharp line drive caught by Jacksonville second baseman Tanner Upton to strand the potential tying and winning runs on second and first, respectively.
“You try to crack a joke or two in the dugout and try to keep the tension down a little bit,” Goff said. “But, honestly, my body was shaking since the second inning.”
MIC’D UP: WATCH A VIDEO WITH COACH GOFF
Jacksonville manufactured its four runs out of two hits, two walks and a fielding error. Mason Jones' two-out, two-run single capped the rally.
Portland responded by scoring three runs after two were out and nobody on with three walks, a throwing error and a fielder's choice.
Jacksonville pitchers Lukas Boughman and Kiker combined on a five-hitter with Boughman going 3 2/3 innings and yielding no earned runs and Kiker going 3 1/3 innings with four strikeouts.
“Lukas pitched his butt off and then Cooper came in and he's been a dude for us for many years,” Goff said of his pitchers. “For him to get the win on this stage is awesome.”
Gehrig Severidt and Upton had doubles to lead Jacksonville and Ryan Hemsley and Cal Grandwahl had doubles for Portland.
The contest was slated to start at 4 p.m. but a late afternoon thunderstorm just as the teams were prepared for the opening pitch delayed the start until 7:50 p.m.
Next for Jacksonville (29-1): 7 p.m. ET Friday vs. Midland (Mich.) Berryhill Post 165.
Next for Portland (40-7): 4 p.m. ET Friday vs. Bedford (N.H.) Post 54.
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