American Legion Post 266 Opens State Tournament With 9-2 Victory, Advances to Second-Round Matchup

1–2 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Jeff Douglas

Two baseball players celebrating by jumping in the air on the field, wearing black jerseys with blue accents.
Gabe Nickel & Brendon Da Luz celebrate the win.

The Bennington American Legion Post 266 Seniors are one step closer to a state championship after opening tournament play with a convincing 9-2 victory over Mr. Dell’s Warriors (Westside) on Saturday.

The win sends Bennington into the next round of the state tournament bracket, where the team will return to the field Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.

Westside struck first in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead, but Bennington answered in the bottom of the third to even the score after Gabe Nickel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded (pictured below).

A baseball player in a black uniform swings a blue bat, preparing to hit the ball. Coaches and players are visible in the background.

The Warriors briefly regained the advantage in the fourth inning, going ahead 2-1 before Bennington responded with its biggest offensive inning of the game.

Kellen Mlnarik delivered the turning point with a three-run home run to left field, putting Post 266 in front. Bennington continued to apply pressure during the inning, adding another run after Noah Langford drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 5-2.

Bennington added four more runs in the fifth inning to put the game out of reach. Mlnarik continued his standout performance with an RBI double as part of the rally, finishing the afternoon with three hits and four RBIs.

A baseball player in a black uniform dives towards the base while another player in a white uniform reaches out with a glove to catch the ball. An umpire observes the play in the background.

Connor Smith and Baylor Uhing (seen above sliding into base) each recorded multiple hits for Post 266, while Brendon Da Luz reached base repeatedly, drawing three walks. As a team, Bennington showed patience at the plate by earning nine walks and also turned a double play defensively.

Brandt Schmidt (pictured below) earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs, only one of them earned, over five innings while striking out six. Brody Lichty and Dominic Mendicino combined to throw two scoreless innings in relief to secure the victory.

A young baseball player in a black uniform is pitching on a baseball field, with the ball in the air and a focused expression on his face.

With the opening-round win behind them, Post 266 will look to keep its momentum rolling when it returns to the diamond Sunday at 4 p.m. as the pursuit of a state championship continues.

A baseball player in a black jersey is executing a throw while another player in a black jersey is on the ground, ready to catch the ball. An American flag is visible in the background.
A baseball coach in a black shirt with the number 44 greets a player in a black uniform with the name 'Bennington' on it, as another player and a catcher in protective gear observe on the field.
A player sliding into first base while another player stretches to catch a throw in a baseball game.
A young baseball player running on the field, wearing a dark uniform with blue accents and a purple helmet, focused and in motion.
A baseball catcher in full gear crouches down, reaching out to catch a pitch while a batter stands in the background.
Two baseball players in black uniforms stand near a green donation sign on a sports field, with one player preparing to throw a baseball.
Two baseball players on the field; one player is sitting on the grass while catching a ball, and the other player is running towards him.
A baseball player celebrates on the field after a play, with clenched fists raised, while another player stands nearby in a black and red uniform.
A group of young baseball players celebrating a victory on the field, with one player jumping and others raising their arms in excitement.
A baseball player preparing to throw a ball while standing on the infield grass, with a teammate visible in the background.
A young baseball player crouched at first base wearing a black jersey, black pants, and a cap, ready to react during a game.
A baseball pitcher wearing a black jersey with 'Bennington' printed on it is in the windup position, preparing to throw a pitch. The focus is on the pitcher, while a batter in a red and black jersey is slightly blurred in the foreground.
A baseball pitcher in a black uniform prepares to throw the ball, focusing intently. In the background, a batter stands poised to hit.
A baseball player wearing a black jersey with 'BENNINGTON' printed on it runs on the field, approaching first base, with a focused expression.
A baseball player running towards first base on a field, wearing a blue helmet and black uniform with 'Bennington' lettering.
A baseball pitcher in a black uniform throws a ball towards a batter, who is ready to hit. An umpire crouches behind the batter, with an American flag visible in the background.
Baseball player in a black uniform with the number 20, winding up to pitch, with another player in the background preparing for a play.
A group of baseball players in black uniforms celebrating a play on the field. Team members are high-fiving and cheering enthusiastically, with one player prominently displaying the number 14 on his back.
A group of baseball players in black uniforms with blue accents high-fiving each other on the field, celebrating a play during a game.

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