Power surge.
Albion’s American Legion Seniors jump-started a 10-5 victory over Pierce in the opening round of the Class B Area 5 district tournament at the Albion Sports Complex with an uncharacteristic power barrage in the first two innings Tuesday night.
Kraig Flanagan, batting third in the bottom of the first, cracked a two-run home run to begin the early fireworks and clean-up batter Greg Young followed with a solo blast. Number nine hitter Ethan Salber smacked his first home run of the season, a two-run shot, in the second inning to give the locals a 5-0 lead.
Albion starting pitcher Flanagan departed after five innings with an 8-3 lead, allowing three runs on two hits. Pierce scored two runs off reliever Kalvin Zoucha in the sixth before Young halted the threat with an inning-ending strikeout with runners at second and third bases. Albion added two runs in the bottom of the sixth and Young twirled a perfect seventh to secure the win.
Albion faces #1 seed Central City at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Complete district details will appear in the print edition of the Albion News July 30.
