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Post 740 defeats Post 86

TORONTO – Richmond and Toronto were both happy to be able to play a game.

Legion baseball teams throughout the Ohio Valley have been affected by all the rain the area has received in the last couple weeks resulting in numerous games being canceled. The inclement weather moved out of the area Thursday enabling Post 740 to do battle against Post 86 at the Knight Baseball Complex.

After being held scoreless for six innings, Richmond was able to deliver four runs in the top of the seventh inning en route to a 5-2 victory over Toronto in a scheduled nine-inning game.

“It is nice to be able to play a game,” Richmond (8-22) head coach Sam Davis said. “The kids played well. I’m real happy with the kids. It was a really good game. We are getting ready for the District 10 Tournament. We are working on some things.

“We saw two really good pitchers. It was a really good game, and our guys throw well. That is what you are looking for. You want to see good pitchers.

“We had the one big inning. We are able to take advantage of that, and that is what you want. In the tournament, you need good pitching, good defense and timely hits. We saw two good pitchers, and you will take that anytime.

“We made a couple mental mistakes, but we played well.

“We are improving. It might not be showing up in terms of wins and losses, but we see it on the field every day.”

The game was Toronto’s first since playing June 30 at Alliance.

“It was nice to be able to get out on the field and to play a game,” Toronto (9-17) head coach Steve Sninchak said. “It has been 12 days since we have been able to get out on the field.

“We played pretty well. We didn’t get the big hit when we needed it. Our pitchers threw well. They had the one big inning. That home run was a momentum changer.”

That home run was a two-run shot over the fence in left by Richmond catcher Storm Mohn. The blast gave Post 740 a 2-1 lead, and the visitors were able to hold onto their advantage from that point.

Both teams used two pitchers in the game.

Tyler Krantz recorded the win for Richmond in relief. Krantz did not produce a strikeout while walking two batters in his four innings of work in relief of starter Ryan Kramarich. Kramarich recorded five strikeouts while issuing one free pass in his five innings of work on the mound.

Davis said he is getting his team ready for the upcoming tournament.

“That is why we went with a split game,” he said. “We were going to have Ryan pitch last night and T.K. pitch today, but last night’s game was canceled.

“I do want to say we have a great group of kids. They are hard workers. They have been no trouble at all. They are a good group to coach. We are getting better at the right time. We are hoping to make a good run in the tournament.”

Jarin McIntosh took the loss for Toronto. McIntosh recorded three strikeouts and two walks in his six-plus innings of work. Tyler Owens came on in relief in the seventh inning, and he pitched the final three innings. Owens struck out three while issuing one free pass.

Offensively, both teams pounded out eight hits.

Individually for Richmond, Krantz contributed a single to go along with his two-run home run, Storm Allese tallied a double and Sammy Orr recorded two base hits. Also, Tanner Wise, and Collin Scott collected base hits, while Nolan Marcus delivered an RBI.

Offensively for Toronto, Owens ended up with two singles, backstop Billy Solomon belted two singles and a double and Chez Glenn collected a double. Also, Seth Wilson and Blaze Glenn each tallied a base hit, and John Romey recorded an RBI.

“Our pitchers are ready for the tournament,” Sninchak said.

“Our everydayers are ready to go.”

Both teams also committed four errors in the game.

The game was scoreless through four-and-a-half innings before Post 86 plated a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 1-0 lead. Toronto tallied its run on a groundout by Romey.

The game was moving at a quick pace throughout most of the contest. The first six innings took about one hour to complete. The game slowed down in the seventh as Post 740 plated four runs to take a 4-1 lead.

The big blow in the stanza was Mohn’s two-run home run.

Home runs can sometimes be rally killers, but that was not case as Post 740 plated another pair of runs in the stanza to build a three-run advantage.

“We haven’t been on the field in a while, and it showed a little bit,” Sninchak said. “Not being on the field has been tough, but no one has really been on the field.”

Toronto cut its deficit to 4-2 with a run on a throwing error.

Richmond tacked on an insurance run in the ninth on a groundout by Marcus. Due to an injury, the game was the first for Marcus in three weeks.

“I think Alliance, Wayne County and Steubenville are the top teams in the tournament,” Sninchak said. “This is a baseball, anything can happen.”

Richmond is scheduled to play at 6 p.m. today at Tuscarawas County before ending the regular season at noon Saturday at home against Coshocton in a nine-inning game.

Toronto is scheduled to take the field again at 1 p.m. Saturday at Wheeling for a doubleheader.

Both teams are scheduled to begin tournament play Monday back at the KBC. Toronto will play Massillon at 4 p.m., while Richmond is slated to face Tuscarawas County in the nightcap at 7 p.m.

“We thank God every day that we are able to play baseball,” Davis said. “We are blessed to be able to play a game. We are thankful for a beautiful day today.”

Richmond 5, Toronto 2

Richmond 000 000 401 – 5 8 4

Toronto 000 010 010 – 2 8 4

RICHMOND (8-22): Krantz (WP, 4IP, 0K, 2BB), Kramarich (5IP, 5K, 1BB) and Mohn; Marcus RBI; Wise S; Orr 2S; Mohn S, HR, 2 RBI; Krantz S; Scott S; Allese D.

TORONTO (9-17): McIntosh (LP, 6IP, 3K, 2BB), Owens (3IP, 3K, 1BB) and Solomon; Owens 2S; B. Glenn S; Solomon 2S, D; C. Glenn D; Wilson S; Romey RBI.

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