Post 64 teams get off to fast start with opening wins

The American Legion Post 64-sponsored varsity and junior varsity baseball teams, consisting of players from Russellville, got their summer seasons off to victorious starts with a couple of outstanding all-around performances by the squads.

The varsity team, under Coach Brian Pace, went to Haleyville June 16 to take on Post 33. In that contest, Post 64 took a 9-1 win behind strong pitching on the mound and solid hitting in the batter’s box.

On the same day over at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, the Post 64 junior varsity team – led by coaches Austin Kitterman and Landon Ezzell – completely dominated the Huntsville Hooks of Post 237 by a 23-0 final score. The junior varsity athletes outhit their opponent by an 11-2 total on their way to the blowout win.

Post 64 varsity used four pitchers versus Haleyville Post 33 to open the season, with Gordon White getting the start and the win. He was followed in relief by Emitt Green, Samuel Pace and Rowe Gallagher.

Post 33 used five pitchers in the game, and Camden Smith was the starter, going two innings.

Eli Gipson and Nick Smith led Post 64 at the plate. Gipson went 3-for-4 with a walk while picking up an RBI. He also scored two runs and stole a base. Smith was 2-for-5 on the day with a home run and three RBIs.

Post 64 outhit Post 33 by a 9-4 total in the game with Canyon Pace, Rowe Gallagher, Emitt Green and Andrew Hatton all pitching in with singles. Nathan Brockway reached base by being hit with a pitch; Gordon White was hit twice by pitches, and he walked once.

White also scored a run, as did John David Bishop, who walked two separate times.

Samuel Pace helped out the cause with an RBI for Post 64.

The team was also aggressive on the base paths, with Hatton and Green joining Gipson in the stolen base column.

Haleyville Post 33 was led at the plate by Sam Williams, Camden Smith and Grant Wakefield. Williams had the lone RBI, Smith went 2-for-3, and Wakefield picked up a double.

The home-opener for the Post 64 varsity team was scheduled for June 23 at the Russellville High School Baseball Stadium versus Huntsville Post 237; results were not available prior to press deadline. The game is the first of five consecutive Tuesday home contests that make up the remainder of the varsity schedule; those games all have a scheduled 5:30 p.m. first pitch.

The Post 64 JV is scheduled to take the field for the team’s first home game June 29.  The Madison Mavericks of Post 229 will be the opponent, and that game is also slated for a 5:30 p.m. start time.  On the following day, the JV team will travel to Hartselle to play the Post 52 JV at Sparkman Park as part of the six-game Post 64 JV schedule.