Editor's Note: This story was updated to reflect a change in the start time of the next game.
ROCKPORT — Byron Cox Post 72 dropped a heartbreaker Friday in their opening game of the Indiana American Legion State Finals. Lafayette Post 11 scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to win the game 2-1.
Post 72 broke a 0-0 tie with a run in the bottom of the fifth frame. Sam Gooch had a one-out single to score Dylan Heaton.
Byron Cox pitcher Aiden Riser had complete control of the game until two singles and two errors resulted in two Lafayette runs.
Riser pitched all seven innings and gave up no earned runs and recorded eight strikeouts. Lafayette ended with four hits including three singles in the seventh inning.
Eli Barnes earned the win by pitching all seven innings after surrendering six hits to Post 72. Barnes struck out six batters.
Post 72 left runners on base in five of their seven at-bats.
Byron Cox committed three errors while Lafayette did not make an error.
Post 72 drops into the elimination bracket and will face Princeton Post 25 at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Princeton lost 7-6 to Terre Haute on Friday.
