Legion Post 366 wins three out of four years ago
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
With a frustrating season rapidly winding down with one game left to go, the Hillsboro American Legion Post 366 baseball team is building momentum for the postseason.
In its most progressive week of the season, victory-starved 366 (5-12) picked up a trio of much-needed home wins, sweeping Herington Thursday and splitting with McPherson two days earlier.
Post 366 scored season-highs in runs against Herington, shutting it out in the opener 14-0, and hanging on 15-11 in the nightcap.
Hillsboro built a 4-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back, breaking the game open with a 10-run eruption in the third inning, using five free passes from Herington in the shortened game.
Michael Bookless picked up the win on the mound for 366, firing a four-hitter.
Herington's pitching rotation couldn't cool off 366's hitting in the finale despite pulling to a 2-0 lead after the top half of its inning.
Post 366 added another 10-run outburst to its resume with Herington issuing seven walks and a trio of mistakes.
Daniel Berg drove in a two-run ground rule double while Aaron Burnett, Clayton Garnica, Aaron Stepanek, and Chad Hughbanks all had RBI singles.
But Derek Hamm couldn't slam the door on Herington in the top of the third inning just yet, giving up four runs to let it right back in the game.
Herington trimmed the lead to 10-8 before Hillsboro finally took control with a four-run fourth.
Herington's three-run seventh inning came too little, too late as 366 and Hamm held on for the win.
Post 366 salvaged a split two days earlier with McPherson, falling in the early game 14-1, but bouncing back to take the second 14-11.
Hillsboro closed out the regular season Wednesday at Herington after hosting Moundridge the previous night.
No results were available for either game at the time of publication.
