FROM STAFF REPORTS

After dropping their opening contest to Tuscaloosa Post 34, the Columbiana Post 131 baseball team has been on a upswing, winning three of their last five games.

A doubleheader with Clanton Post 6 was split, as Clanton took the first game, 7-6. Luke Porter, Tyler Jackson and Brian Browning led Post 131 with two hits apiece. Porter drove in three runs, Browning two and Jackson one. Pitching wise, Brandon Black took the loss for Post 131, giving up three runs, zero unearned, in three innings of relief.

The second game was a different story, as Post 131 blew Post 6 out, winning 13-2.

Hunter Black led 131, going 3-4 with RBIs. Brian Browning and Colton Pate both notched two hits a piece, with Browning knocking a home run. Wes Nail earned the victory, giving up two runs on four hits in four innings of work.

Post 131 then travelled to Dothan June 7-9 to participate in the David Prince Memorial Tournament.

Rain played a factor all weekend, with the opening day being limited one game, a loss at the hands of Tuscaloosa Post 34.

June 8 saw Post 131 take a close one against Dothan Post 12’s 17U team, 2-0. Trey Hawker threw a complete game shutout, surrendering only three hits and recording four K’s on 69 total pitches.

At the plate Black went 2-3 with an RBI, with Browning going 1-3 and an RBI.

The next game saw Post 131 defeat Albany, Ga. Post 30, 7-6. Porter had three hits on the day, with Corey Price and Browning both recording two. KJ Derrick earned the win, logging four innings in relief.

The last game was against Albany, GA Post 30. Post 131 won that game 7-6.  Luke Porter finished the game with 3 hits, while Corey Price and Brian Browning each had 2.  KJ Derrick earned the win on the mound going 4 innings in relief.

Sunday’s game against the North Florida Black Sox was rained out.

Coach Jay Gibbons said he felt the team was finally starting to its stride.

I really like our chances (in the Tuscaloosa tournament),” he said. “We had a bumpy start, but we’re starting to play much better baseball. I think our pitching matches up well with the teams in our pool. Our hitters are starting to see the ball better as we play more games. We have a great chance to make it to Sunday (semi-final and finals are on Sunday) if we show up ready to play.”

Post 131 will take the field again June 14-26 in Tuscaloosa in the Killian-Windham Invitational hosted by Post 34.