Post 11 wins district to qualify for American Legion State Tournament

LANCASTER – For the second year in a row, Lancaster Post 11 has qualified for the Ohio American Legion Tournament.

Post 11 cruised in the District 8 tournament, defeating Athens Post 21, 14-4 and 10-3, and in the process, collected 18 hits.

Prior to last season, the last time the Post 11 had reached the state tournament was 2006. Just like last season, Post 11 is playing its best baseball of the year at the right time. A year ago, Post 11 finished with a 28-17 overall record and won 17 of its last 21 games.

This season, Post 11 is 20-12 overall and have won 16 of its last 20 games.

“We’ve been playing great ball,” said Post 11 coach Al Beavers, who came out of retirement last season. “We front-load the schedule with the best Legion teams from across the state to impress upon the kids the level of competition we face in the tournament.”

Beavers knows a lot about having success. He retired 19 years ago but came back to manage the team in 2017 with the hopes of resurrecting a program that had fallen on hard times. His easy-going, but stern, style has resonated with the players the last two seasons.

The win over Athens gave Beavers 757 career wins. At one point, he led Post 11 to 14 consecutive American Legion state tournament appearances.

Many of the same players from last season’s success are back this season and understand what it takes to win.

After winning two games in the state tournament in 2017, Post 11 was eliminated after a 5-4 loss to Beverley-Lowell and 5-0 against Napoleon.

This year’s double-elimination state tournament will feature eight teams from across the state, begins July 25 and concludes July 29 at Beavers Field. The winner advances to the regional tournament in Napoleon.

twilson@lancastereaglegazette.com

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Twitter: @twil2323