American Legion Post 266 Records 12-8 Victory, Advances to State Semifinals

3–4 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

Two young baseball players celebrating on the field, wearing blue jerseys with 'POST 26' printed on them, with spectators visible in the background.
Myles Gifford & Brendon Da Luz celebrate a run.

The Bennington American Legion Post 266 Seniors responded exactly the way their coaches hoped they would.

Less than 24 hours after a disappointing loss dropped them into the elimination bracket, Post 266 came out swinging Monday morning, building an early lead and holding off a late rally from the Pat Hagge Patriots (Millard South) for a 12-8 victory to keep its state tournament run alive.

The win advances Bennington to the state semifinals, where the team will face CarpetLand Rugs 18U (Lincoln East) at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

After emphasizing following Sunday’s loss that his team needed to “flush it and move on,” head coach Collin McClain said he saw that mindset from the moment the players arrived at the ballpark.

A baseball player in a red uniform is diving towards first base while another player in blue attempts to catch the ball with a glove. An umpire watches the play from the side.
Kellen Mlnarik attempts to tag out an attempted base steal.

“They seemed ready and confident when they showed up,” McClain said. “This group does a great job of moving onto the next thing. You can’t dwell or feel sorry for yourself, just onto the next game.”

That approach showed early.

Bennington wasted little time taking control, scoring two runs in the opening inning before adding three more in the second. The Seniors continued to chip away with single runs in both the third and fourth innings, opening a 7-0 advantage before either team scored again.

A baseball player in a red helmet and jersey swings at a pitch while a blue catcher crouches behind home plate. An umpire in a blue shirt observes the play.
Catcher Noah Langford secures the pitch for a called strike.

McClain said the fast start allowed the offense to settle in and play with confidence.

“It was huge to get some early runs to relax our hitters a little bit,” he said. “When they play free and play with confidence, they are tough to get out. It was fun to see them come alive and help build a lead.”

Millard South mounted a comeback with five runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut into the deficit, but Bennington answered immediately with a five-run inning of its own to restore control heading into the seventh.

A baseball player in a blue uniform slides to second base, while a player in a white uniform stretches to tag him as he dives safely.
Gabe Nickel dives for the catch in an attempt to record an out at second base.

The Patriots added three more runs in their final at-bat, but the early cushion and sixth-inning response proved to be enough as Post 266 secured the 12-8 victory.

Although Bennington finished with nine hits compared to Millard South’s 11, the Seniors capitalized on opportunities throughout the game. Kellen Mlnarik led the offense with three hits and scored once, while Brendon Da Luz collected two hits and crossed the plate twice. Connor Smith added two hits and drove in three runs.

Gabe Nickel, Max Swoboda and Noah Langford each recorded doubles, while Swoboda and Langford each drove in three runs. Bennington also drew eight walks, helping fuel the offensive outburst.

A baseball pitcher in a blue jersey throwing a pitch on the mound, with two fielders in the background on a baseball field.

Connor Smith (pictured above) earned the win on the mound, striking out three over 5⅓ innings before Brody Lichty and Dominic Mendicino combined to finish the game in relief.

McClain said one of the biggest differences Monday was the team’s energy and approach despite facing an elimination game.

“The decision to just play loose and have fun is up to us as players and coaches,” he said. “You could sense good energy from the dugout the minute they showed up.”

A baseball player in a blue jersey swings at a pitch while a catcher in a black and red uniform crouches behind home plate.
Baylor Uhing connects on a pitch for a base hit.

The victory is the latest example of a team that has consistently bounced back from adversity throughout the summer, something McClain believes defines this group.

“It just shows who they’ve been all summer,” he said. “Never get too high, never get too low. Just keep working and good things will happen if you just believe.”

With one elimination game behind them, the focus now shifts to another tough challenge Tuesday night against Lincoln East.

McClain said the formula won’t change.

Baseball team members in uniforms standing in the dugout, with some players preparing to play and others watching the game.
The team cheers for their teammates as they bring in two runs.

“Heading into tomorrow we just want to keep the momentum,” he said. “Look to capitalize early in the game to get the energy on our side. It will be a new day, so just take it one pitch at a time.”

First pitch between Bennington Post 266 and CarpetLand Rugs 18U (Lincoln East) is scheduled for 8 p.m., with the Seniors needing another win to continue their run to the finals and toward a state championship.

Baseball players in a field during a game, one player is catching a ball while another is falling in the grass.
A baseball player in a blue jersey throws a ball while on the field, with a black fence and a colorful background visible.
A youth baseball game scene showing a player in a blue jersey throwing a ball while another player in catcher's gear attempts to evade a tag. An umpire watches the play closely.
A baseball player in a white uniform catches a ball while another player in a blue uniform approaches first base, during a game.
A youth baseball player in a blue jersey and cap prepares to swing at the pitch, with a catcher in gear ready to receive the ball and a teammate on deck in the background.
A young baseball player in a blue jersey swings a bat while batting, with a catcher in a black and white uniform crouched behind home plate.
A group of baseball players in blue jerseys with 'Post 26' visible, celebrating and high-fiving at the dugout during a game.
A baseball player in a blue jersey with the number 17 swings a bat to hit a pitch while a catcher in a white jersey crouches behind home plate. The scene takes place on a well-maintained turf baseball field on a bright sunny day.
A baseball player in a blue jersey swings at a pitch during a game, while a catcher in a black and white uniform crouches behind home plate.
A baseball player prepares to hit a pitch while a catcher waits behind home plate, with another player in the background.
A baseball player in a blue jersey slides to catch a ball on the field, with a Coca-Cola advertisement in the background.
A baseball player in a blue jersey and white pants catching a fly ball in the outfield under a clear sky.
A young baseball player in a blue uniform is about to swing at a pitched ball while another player stands on the field in the background.
A baseball player swings a bat to hit a pitch while a catcher prepares to catch the ball. The scene takes place on a baseball field with teammates in the background.
A young baseball player in a blue jersey swings a bat at a pitched ball while a catcher in a black and red uniform squats behind home plate.
A baseball player in a blue jersey with the number 5 swings at a pitch while batting, as the pitcher in a white uniform prepares to throw the ball. A catcher is positioned behind the batter, and an umpire is visible in the background.
Two baseball players in blue jerseys are in the outfield, one is catching a fly ball while the other runs towards him. A scoreboard and a fenced area are visible in the background.
A baseball player in a blue uniform prepares to field a ground ball on a diamond, while an umpire in a blue and black outfit stands nearby.
A baseball player in a blue jersey and white pants is catching a ball on the field, while another player in the background is running.

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