Post 18 Begins Lewis and Clark Classic with Victory Over Tabor

CROFTON, Neb. — On Friday afternoon, Palace City Post 18 secured a thrilling victory against Tabor Post 183, clinching the win in the ninth inning during the Lewis and Clark American Legion Baseball Classic. With the game tied at four runs apiece, Ethan Hegg's sacrifice fly allowed Quinton Wilson to score, giving Post 18 the lead. Jacob Ebert followed up with a single that drove in Canon Moller, providing an additional cushion. The team’s defense held strong, retiring Tabor in order to finish the game.

Hegg had a standout performance, contributing two hits, a walk, and three runs batted in. He was joined by four other teammates, including Dawson Adams, who also recorded two hits and two RBIs. Moller, Carter McCormick, and Kaiden Allen each added to the offensive effort with two hits as well.

On the mound, Noah Bennett started strong, pitching five innings and striking out six while allowing three earned runs. McCormick, however, was credited with the win after delivering 3 2/3 innings of relief with an impressive six strikeouts and only one hit surrendered.

For Tabor, Madden Merkwan contributed two hits, while Isaiah Crownover drove in two runs. Crownover pitched five innings, striking out five, but the loss fell to Alex Adler, who struggled in four innings of relief. Tabor's defense faltered with three errors, leading to just one of Palace City's six runs being earned.

Post 18 is set to conclude pool play against the Crofton hosts and Sioux Falls Post 15 East on Saturday. Meanwhile, Tabor, which previously defeated Crofton 12-0, will also play against Madison and Sioux Falls East on the same day. The tournament features 20 teams divided into four pools, with the winners advancing to a four-team championship bracket on Sunday in Yankton.

In another match on Friday, Madison Post 25 overcame a slow start to dominate PCB, scoring five runs in the fourth inning and finishing the game early under the run rule. Madison pitcher Cohen Hahn struck out eight batters, while Post 18's Nolan Widstrom recorded seven strikeouts but allowed six earned runs.