Published: July 07, 2008 08:32 pm      

Post 38 strong in Independence Day Classic

Somerset — The Post 38 team won 4 games and lost 1 in the Independence Day Classic in Columbia, TN last weekend and finished in second place in their pool. The Classic was a 24 team, 6 pools of 4 with winners of each pool advancing to the finals on Sunday.

The 38ers lost their only game to defending National Champs Columbia Post 19 on Thursday 8-2. Corey Price was on the mound for the 38ers and pitched well but the 4-run first inning by Post 19 was too much. The 38ers were led by Erik Manning's solo home run in the 3rd inning as Manning had 2 hits and brother Otie Manning doubled and singled. Jeremy Toohey added a RBI double, scoring Aaron Hampton after Hampton reached on a error.

On Friday the 38ers pounded out 12 hits and put the game out of reach in the 4th inning scoring 7 runs en route to 15-6 win over Huntsville Post . Storm Wilson led the offense with 3 singles and 2 RBIs as Brett Blankenship singled twice with 3 RBIs. Corey Price singled twice with 2 RBIs as Tyler Mayer singled twice with a RBI. Toohey, Jarred Price and Erik Manning each singled in a run as Manning scored 3 times. Dean Sumpter went the distance for the 38ers striking out 6.

The 38ers beat the Columbia Junior team on Saturday 8-6 as Hampton got the win and Corey Price recorded the save. Hampton struck out 6, striking out the side in the 3rd inning. Hampton also helped his own cause with a bases clearing double in the first inning. Adam Wallen doubled and singled with a RBI as Mayer singled twice with a RBI. Corey Price doubled in a run as Robert Corder singled in run. Toohey added a single as Jarred Price singled and scored 2 runs.

The final game for the 38ers on Saturday was also a win beating Spring Hill 7-5. Sumpter got the win on the mound, his second in two days, in relief of starter Corder and Corey Price recoded his second save of the tourney.

With the score tied at 5-5 in the 4th inning, Jarred Price led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sumpter. Toohey then singled and both Price and Toohey advanced on a wild pitch. After a trip to the mound by Spring Hill's coach to settle his pitcher down, Mayer promptly singled on the first pitch to center to score Price and Toohey which proved to be the game-winner. Mayer led the 38ers with 3 singles and 2 RBIs as Wallen doubled and singled with a RBI. Toohey and Corey Price each singled twice with a RBI. Corder singled in a run as Sumpter, Wilson, Jarred Price and Erik Manning each added singles.

The 38ers got a win on Thursday by forfeit as Dyersburg, TN was a no-show. The 38ers scored 32 runs on 41 hits in the Classic and committed only 5 errors. The pitching staff of Corey Price, Sumpter, Hampton and Toohey was effective in the 4 games.

"We had a great tourney and we played well," said assistant coach Otis Manning. "There were a lot of good teams and we bounced back after losing to defending champs Columbia on Thursday. We handled the heat on Saturday with two wins."

The 38ers improve to 13-9 on the season and will host the 6th annual Ricky Bussell Memorial Classic this Friday thru Sunday at Southwestern High School and Somerset High School. Eight teams will compete in the Classic that include five Legion teams and 3 non-Legion.