Post 109's Bubba Wright hustles into third base during Wednesday's game American Legion playoff game against visiting Richland. Photo by LARRY HILLIARD The Gaffney American Legion team and manager Zach Clary had hopes of advancing in the state playoffs Thursday.

Unfortunately for them, things didn’t work out the way they had planned.

For the second straight game, Richland Post 6 staved off elimination with a comefrom behind 5-4 win over visiting Post 109.

Post 109 blew its first chance to advance in the playoffs, losing to Richland at home, 4-3, on Wednesday.

The teams meet today at 7 p.m. at Commissioners Field to decide the best-offive series.

Bobby Jackson will go for Post 109.

“We just have to come out ready to play,” Clary said.

Gaffney led 4-2 in the eighth when things started to unwravel. After a home run tied the game at 4, Richland executed a perfect two-strike squeeze play to score the gamewinning run.

Gaffney had it chances in the ninth with runners on second and third but Jordan Garrett’s sharp liner down the first base line was gloved for the final out.

Jackson had a solo home run and Garrett and Ryan Westbrook each scored on passed balls for Post 109.

Spot starter Spencer Epps went a solid 7 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs before giving way to Kaleb Earls.

On Wednesday, Post 109 could never solve Richland starter Ryan Mercer, who tossed a complete game, giving gave up nine hits and three runs.

His counterpart, Bubba Wright, didn’t pitch badly, giving up four runs over eight innings.

Post 109 battled back from a 4-0 deficit and had a chance to tie the game in the eighth after a single from Westbrook and Epps’ double but Richland second baseman Bret Fulmer turned a diving catch into a doubleplay to stem Gaffney’s momentum.

Michael Hughey followed with a sharp single to cut the score to 4-3 but was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Garrett’s double.

Gaffney then went meekly in the ninth inning.

Richland built its 4-0 lead on a combination of walks, defensive lapses and some timely hits.