Spartanburg topples Post 109

Asked to explain the reason for his team's first loss of the season, Post 109 coach Jeff Osment gave the simplest explanation.

"We faced a good pitcher last night who threw strikes," Osment said.

Hunter Cole was that good pitcher. He scattered six hits and didn't walk a batter until the ninth to help Spartanburg edge Post 109, 5-3, at Duncan Park Wednesday evening.

Osment said the loss could be a good thing since it puts a lot of pressure on a team to enter the playoffs with an undefeated record.

"I think it will help us for the playoffs since now they'll know how to respond to adversity," he said.

Post 109 batters faced plenty of adversity trying to find a hole in Spartanburg's defense.

Cole fanned four in the first two innings but then relied on his defense after that.

"We hit the ball hard but it was right at somebody," Osment said.

Spartanburg jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second inning on Wes Shuler's homer and added three runs in the seventh to lead 5-0 on Brian Poteat's RBI double.

Post 109 showed some fight by scoring three runs in the ninth. McCrae Norton reached on an error and Ryan Westbrook walked before Bryan Parsons' RBI single. Westbrook scored Post 109's second run when Michael Hughey beat out a grounder for an infield single.

Bubba Wright delivered a sacrifice fly to score Parsons to cap the Post 109 scoring.

Westbrook was saddled with the loss, allowing 10 hits and five runs, three of which were earned. He also struck out three and walked two.

The loss drops Post 109 to 12-1 overall and 11-1 in League VI standings.

Post 109 returns home today to face Greer. Michael Wright is expected to get the start.

Post 109 will wrap up the regular season with a game at Union Tuesday. Post 109 also will play a couple of make-up games at Inman on Monday and at home against Spartanburg on Wednesday.