The American Legion Post 5 A team opened play in the 2018 Summerslam tournament Friday splitting their first two games of pool play.
In game one the Post 5 Juniors demolished the Topeka Scrappers 11-3 thanks to a five-run first inning.
John Pringle started the scoring with a line drive into left field scoring Kadyn Williams and Cameron Kirmer. Emporia added three more runs in the first for a quick 5-0 lead. The Post 5 Juniors would increase their lead 9-0 with runs in the second, third and fourth innings. Topeka finally got on the board scoring three runs in the top of the fifth but thanks to hits by Ethan Garate and Evan Berges Emporia would add two to close out the game in five innings. John Pringle went three for three at the plate to lead Emporia with three RBIs.
Game two saw Emporia struggle early in an 8-1 loss to the Clay Center Junior Legion.
Clay Center capitalized on an early error in the first by shortstop Kadyn Williams scoring a single run to take the lead. Clay Center would hold Emporia scoreless through the first five innings and add two in the fourth and fifth to increase their lead 5-0. Emporia managed a single run in the fifth off an RBI walk but two more runs in the seventh would see Emporia take their first loss of the tournament.
Coach Anthony Markowitz says they are still struggling to put together two complete games.
Emporia will wrap up pool play tomorrow with games against the Wichita Aviators at 11am and Andover at 7pm.
