Getting a helping hand: Post 91 gets a boost
Published 9:07 pm Thursday, July 11, 2019
- Austin’s Anthony Ciola looks the ball into the glove on a play at second against Kasson Thursday night at Marcusen Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Drew Copley may have played baseball for Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland this past spring, but he feels right at home with Austin Post 91.
Copley pitched five strong innings and also doubled as Post 91 topped Kasson Post 333 8-3 in Marcusen Park Thursday.
“I’ve been playing with these guys since I was on All-Stars as an 11-year-old,” Copley said. “I love playing with these guys. They’re like my best friends and they’ve always been welcoming.”
Post 91 (11-2 overall) is loaded with a strong group of players from Austin, but it also has plenty of help from Lyle-Pacelli. LP’s Tanner Murphy tripled in a run to to drive in Austin’s first run and a lead it wouldn’t relinquish in the second inning. Another LP player, Bryce Strouf, pitched two relief innings and Zach Bollingberg also made an appearance.
Austin third baseman Josi Bothun comes up throwing against Kasson Thursday night at Marcusen Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin centerfielder Andrew Schumacher said Post 91 is glad to have some extra help on its side this summer.
“I love having all of these guys on the team,” Schumacher said. “Drew is crazy talented at baseball and Zach is carrying on the Bollingberg legacy after his older brother Dan played here. Tanner Murphy had a big hit today and Bryce Strouf closed it out.”
Austin is closing in on the top seed for the District playoffs, which begin in a couple of weeks. Until then, Post 91 will try to keep momentum going in its favor.
“We’re hoping to get our pitching rotation set and get our bats going,” Schumacher said. “We want to start fast and finish fast.”
Austin pitcher Drew Copley delivers in teh first inning against Kasson Thursday night at Marcusen Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Kasson 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 — 3 4 3
Austin 0 3 1 3 0 1 X — 8 9 2
Austin pitching: Drew Copley (W) 5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 4 K; Bryce Strouf, 2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 R, 1 ER
Austin hitting: Andrew Schumacher, 1-for-2, 2 RBIs, R, SB, BB; Tony Ciola, 0-for-3, R, BB; Drew Copley, 1-for-3, double; AJ Mueller, 2-for-3, double, RBI, R, BB; Tanner Murphy, 1-for-3, triple, RBI, R; Michael O’Connor, 2-for-3, RBI; Nate Murphy, 0-for-3; Josi Bothun, 1-for-1, 2 R, BB; Jackson Oehlfke, 1-for-2, R, SB; Teyghan Hovland, 0-for-1, R; Dawson Mills, 0-for-1; Strouf, 0-for-1; Zach Bollingberg, 0-for-1
