Photos by Morgen Orr Richland third baseman Joseph Whitaker makes a leaping throw to first base. Richland Post 6 had four hits and three walks in the top of the first inning, accounting for six runs and a comfortable working margin for the remainder of the game against Columbia Northeast. The six- run first inning was the second in a row for Richland against Post 182 this summer. Alston James pitched eight solid innings, only giving up multiple runs in an inning once.

With the first five batters of the game reaching base safely, Post 6 already led 2- 0. Emmett Richardson's one- out, two- run single pushed the lead to 4- 0. Joseph Whitaker and Chandler Knox each drove in a run to complete the first inning thrashing.

After Columbia NE added its first run on a Blake Clamp infield hit in the second inning, Richland powered its way to three more runs in the top of the third. Chris Daniels drove in a run setting up Kirk Sims's two- run double to left field. Meanwhile James had four strikeouts through the first four innings and had not faced more than five batters in an inning.

Photos by Morgen Orr Columbia NE pitcher Colby Edwards pitches in the fourth inning. Brett Vigrass took advantage of a Richland error to drive in Clamp in the fifth inning, bringing the score to 9- 2. Richardson gave Post 6 its eight- run lead back when his sixth inning single to right scored Doug Allen.

Columbia NE finally got to James in the seventh inning by taking advantage of an error and putting together timely hits to drive in three runs. Mobley Jeter's double to right- center scored Matt Nodelman before Vigrass singled to left- center, scoring Richard Crisostomo and Jeter.

A strange double- steal in the top of the eighth gave the fleet- of- foot Daniels a steal of home. Knox then drove in the double- steal catalyst Sims to give Richland

its 12th and final run.

Columbia NE did score a sixth run in the bottom of the ninth off of Richland closer Joseph O'Steen when an error and two consecutive singles gave the home team fleeting hope in the game's last inning. O'Steen shut the door on Post 6 by forcing a foul pop up that bounced off of his glove and into catcher Sims' for the final out.

Above: Richland Post 6's Alston James Pitches in first inning while Columbia's NE Brett Vigrass leads off first base. Left: Post 6's Kevin O'Quinn lays down a perfect bunt in the first inning.