The Emporia AAA American Legion baseball team advanced to bracket play at the AAA/AA State tournament. Post 5 kept their State Championship hopes alive with a 5-1 win over Ottawa Friday afternoon and Hays defeated Great Bend 14-8.
The Post 5 seniors scored a single run in the 1st, Riley Wagner singled to drive in Hayden Baumwart. They added a run in the 2nd inning. Hayden Baumwart doubled scoring Camden Kirmer. Post 5 scored 3 runs in the 4th inning. Camden Kirmer drove in Cade Kohlmeier with a single, Hunter Groh scored on an error and Camden Kirmer scored on a Jace Stewart sacrifice fly. Coach Anthony Markowitz called it an improved effort.
Ethan Garate was the winning pitcher, going all 7 innings giving up the 1 run on 4 hits with 3 strikeouts.
The Emporia Senior Legion will play Iola in the semi-finals. The other semi-final has Hays playing Sabetha. The two winners will play for the Championship.
