The Worthington Senior American Legion baseball team won its second game at the substate tournament in Mankato on Wednesday morning before being knocked off Wednesday night. Post 5, however, is still alive in the double-elimination event.
In its first contest Wednesday, which began at 10:30 a.m., Post 5 won a wild one and outlasted Jordan, the tourney's No. 2 seed, 14-13, at ISG Field in Mankato. Worthington was buoyed by an 18-hit attack. Leading the way offensively was Kent Lais, who was 4-for-4 with a triple, two doubles and a single, and Jake Brandner, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a triple, double and single.
It was a group effort on the mound for Worthington as Triston Sauerbrei, Brock Bruns, Cooper McCoy and Brandner shared the pitching duties. Jordan had 17 hits of its own in the game, including three home runs -- one of which was a grand slam.
In Post 5's second game of the day, the Mankato Nationals blanked Worthington 7-0 at ISG Field. Post 5 coach Tim Gaul noted that the Nationals had a top ranking for much of the summer and that his team faced an ace who is getting looks from Major League Baseball scouts.
Worthington had two hits in the contest; they came off the bats of Brandner and Tommy Lais, respectively. Gaul said Brandner pitched an excellent game in the loss.
Post 5 is back in action at substate as it will play a 4:30 p.m. game at Wolverton against the Mankato Americans. Should Worthington win, it will play again at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mankato's ISG Field. A win would give Post 5 an opportunity to play for the championship.
