Today's Sports

Following Monday night’s loss in the opening round of the district tournament, Post 95 would have to win five straight games in order to be district champions. Vandalia only won eight games all season.

Post 95 could not even manage to win the first game in what would be a near-impossible comeback through the loser’s bracket. Vandalia lost Tuesday night to Olney, 26-6, in Effingham.

Despite an overall record of 8-18, the Senior Legion team has secured a No. 2 seed in the district tournament, which starts this weekend. Of Post 95’s eight wins, five of them came against district opponents. Monday night, Vandalia will play T-Town in Effingham at 8 p.m.

Vandalia 7 – Toledo 5

Post 95 had to come from behind to win Tuesday night against Toledo.

The Senior Legion team looks as if it has finally turned its season around. This past week, Post 95 won three of its five games, including three in a row, and a sweep of Olney.

The offense that struggled to score just a few weeks ago has now scored 34 runs over the past five games.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the recent offensive surge is lineup changes. Dallas Gray, who usually holds down the fourth spot in the lineup, has led off the last three games. In those games, he is combined 6-for-11 with two home runs, a double and four runs scored.

Vandalia was swept in a doubleheader against Effingham last Wednesday. The Vandals failed to capitalize on opportunities, and errors on routine ground balls and dropped fly balls allowed Effingham second-chance opportunities.

“You have to take care of your pitcher, and when a pitcher gets ground balls and fly balls, you have to take care of him and make those plays,” coach Luke Hohlt said. “A few guys are playing out of position and we’re kind of short-handed. They have to learn to make the plays when they’re out of position.”