Byron Cox Post 72 begins double-elimination Terre Haute Regional play at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The first game of the tournament will feature rivals Crawfordsville playing against the host team, Terre Haute Post 346.
The two teams have played three times this season with Terre Haute winning two. The recent game was in Sunday’s championship game of the Post 72 Invitational with Terre Haute winning 5-3.
Terre Haute has a sparkling 28-3 record. On June 16 visiting Post 346 defeated the local team 10-0. On June 30, Post 72 traveled to Terre Haute and came home with a 3-2 victory.
Post 72 enters the tournament with a 20-8 record. Five of the losses have been by one run with two of the losses being in walk-off fashion.
Crawfordsville has plenty of firepower. Outfielder Sam Gooch, a Greencastle graduate, has been a stalwart patrolling the outfield and his bat has been a major force in the lineup. With his speed he is capable of getting on base with the bunt and he has proven he has the power to knock the ball out of the park.
North Montgomery High School product Aiden Ambriz-Cruz brings exceptional speed and as a capable bat for the leadoff hitter. Ambriz-Cruz has had several outstanding defensive plays by splitting time at second base and shortstop.
Outfielder/pitcher Aiden Riser has been productive all season. The Huntington University player has been consistent on the mound and at the plate. The McCutcheon graduate has been good on defense as well.
Crawfordsville graduate Matt Miller has been the starting catcher in most games and has recent success of throwing players out who are trying to steal second base.
Other players who have had good seasons for Coach Kyle Proctor are Nate Kuhns, Dillon Heaton, Ethan Wooten, Keaton Brown, Kyven Hill, Kaden Smith and Creux Reiman. Rounding out the team are Cayden Scott, Mason Foster, Peyton Grimmett, Aiden Chiodo, Talyn Sheldon, Ethan Campbell and Kohen Bonebrake. Post 72 can argue its roster is deeper than most Legion teams.
If Post 72 defeats Terre Haute they will play Jasper at 7:30 p.m. Friday. If Post 72 is defeated they will play at 5 p.m. Friday.
Teams in the Regional are Speedway, Elberfeld Post 351, Jasper, Terre Haute and Post 72. All games will be played at Terre Haute North Vigo High School, 3434 Maple Ave., Terre Haute.
