AUBURN, NE - On day three of the Nebraska Class B American Division Legion Baseball State Tournament, the host Auburn First National Bank Post 23 Seniors gave up three runs in the top of the seventh before falling to Springfield Post 143 by a final of 3-2 to end their season.

Christian Gage got the start on the mound for Auburn, while Marek Miller got the start on the bump for Springfield. For the first three innings, both pitchers cruised as neither allowed a run. In the bottom of the 4th, Auburn finally broke through. A leadoff walk to Gage and a single with an error on the Springfield centerfielder gave Auburn runners at second and third with just one out. On the very next play, Westyn Amthor hit a ground ball to shortstop Easton Harris but Harris’s throw was off the mark and allowed two runs to score. 

Gage continued to cruise on the mound as he worked scoreless 5th and 6th innings but Miller was just as solid for Springfield and kept them within striking distance. All Springfield needed was a chance, and they got that in the top of the 7th. Cash Porter led off the inning with a pop up, but a Nathan Ehrke hit by pitch gave Springfield a base runner. A walk to Seamus Ryley then put the tying run aboard. Dylan Thomas singled to load the bases with just one out. Lane Christansen followed with a fly ball to left that went in and out of the left fielder Clayton Brown’s glove and allowed two runs to score, tying the game at two. 

Tucker Riha popped up to first for out number two, so it was up to Easton Harris to try and give Springfield the lead with runners at second and third. Harris hit a hard grounder to third and reached on an error as the third baseman Amthor’s throw pulled the first baseman Erickson off the bag. That gave Springfield the 3-2 edge. 

In the bottom of the seventh, Auburn mounted a threat with runners at first and second with just one out, but a fly out to deep center and a fly out to right ended the Auburn threat as they fell, 3-2.

Miller got the win for Springfield, lasting all seven innings and allowing two runs, both of which were unearned, on five hits. He struck out three. Gage was just as good for Auburn, also going the distance. Gage allowed three unearned runs on five hits while striking out four. 

Auburn ends their season at 15-18, while Springfield will play West Point Tuesday at 4pm from Tushla Field in Auburn. Hickman is the last unbeaten team and will clash with Seward in the 7pm contest.