POST 202 THIRD BASEMAN Coenradt Taylor, left, looks to first base after forcing Rogers Post base runner Derek Wolverton at third base during a Junior American Legion baseball game in Topsham. Post 202 won, 6-3.
Post 202 of Topsham has had a rough go of it over the past couple seasons.
After finishing the 2016 campaign winless, the squad opened the Junior American Legion baseball season with a pair of losses, but looked to get on track Wednesday at Bruce Kingdon Field against winless Rogers Post of Auburn.
POST 202 pitcher Devin Tobin delivers a pitch at Mt. Ararat High School on Wednesday.
First-year head coach Josh Meier likes the makeup of this year’s squad, with a team of players looking to develop while finding success on the field.
“It feels good to get an early win, and we were able to press early and get on a run,” said Meier, whose squad returns to action on Sunday with a home doubleheader against Sacopee Valley, beginning at 11 a.m.
POST 202 of Topsham hosted Rogers Post in Junior American Legion baseball action at Mt. Ararat High School on Wednesday. In the top photo, Post 202 hitter Dalton Dickey watches the ball while Rogers Post catcher Drew St. Hilaire looks on. Above, Post 202 base runner Kyle Secone is out at second base on a steal attempt with Rogers Post shortstop Brody Farinos awaiting the call from the umpire.
From the start, Post 202 was aggressive on the basepaths, with leadoff hitter Dalton Dickey leading off with a single and stealing second.
“As a coach, I like to run and put pressure on the other team,” said Meier. “We were able to capitalize.”
Devin Tobin singled in Cogswell as the first three hitters reached for Post 202 against Rogers Post starter Noah Hill, who managed to escape a base-loaded jam with an inning-ending double play.
Post 202 put two more runners on base in the second as Kyle Secone and Coenradt Taylor each singled, but the hosts came up empty.
But, a pair of walks to Asa Hodgdon and Tobin set up Cogswell, whose single to right field made for a 3-0 contest.
Tobin was solid over the first three innings on the mound, permitting a pair of singles and striking out four. Third baseman Taylor made a solid play, starting a double play to end the third inning.
Rogers Post scored two of its runs in the fourth thanks to Post 202’s only error, with Ryan Pomerleau and Sam Leroche scoring.
But, the hosts answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame, taking advantage of two errors and three walks. Secone, Taylor and Trey Booty each scored in the inning for a 6-2 lead.
For Meier, seeing his team find success while at the same time developing is key.
“I coached freshman ball, and it is not about winning a state championship in freshman ball,” said Meier. “But, junior legion, there are playoffs and we will build toward that. We will play everybody. Players will not get better sitting on the bench. Once we get to the playoffs, we will put those best nine or 10 players on the field to give us the best shot.
“The first two games, you could see that they were a little bit deflated. It is a brand new team and I like the makeup of this team.”
Tobin pitched 4 2/3 innings for the win, picking up five strikeouts, walking four and permitting five hits. The two runs he allowed were unearned. Ben Freeman went the rest of the way, with three punchouts, four walks and two hits for the save.
Rogers Post scored its final run in the sixth on an RBI single by Christian Beliveau (2-for-3). In the seventh, Freeman walked three hitters to load the bases, but picked up a strikeout to finish off Rogers Post.
Hill took the loss for Rogers Post (0-3), going three innings on three walks, five hits and four runs. Derek Wolverton pitched three innings on one strikeout, two walks and one hit.
Post 202 6, Rogers Post 3
At Mt. Ararat High School
| Rogers | Post | — 000 | 201 | 0 | — | 3-7-4 | ||
| Post | 202 | — | 102 | 300 | X | — | 6-6-1 |
Noah Hill, Derek Wolverton (4) and Drew St. Hilaire; Devin Tobin, Ben Freeman (5) and Asa Hodgdon. WP — Tobin; LP — Hill. Repeat hitters — (RP) Nate Farnsworth, Christian Beliveau. Records — Post 202 1-2; Rogers Post 0-3. Up next for Post 202 — Sunday at home against Sacopee Valley, doubleheader, 11 a.m.
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