Sunday afternoon, Beckley Post 32 Top Prospects had a chance to take a major step forward towards home field advantage in the upcoming American Legion Area Tournament.
The result Sunday was favorable for Post 32, but not optimal.
After splitting a doubleheader with South Charleston Post 94 in late June, a sweep of its longtime nemesis would all but lock up postseason games being played at Linda K. Epling Stadium.
The sweep was not meant to be, but Post 32 is still the keeper of its own destiny.
Holding a better overall record than South Charleston (12-8), Beckley Post 32 (21-5) will hold the top spot by earning a pair of victories in doubleheaders against Charleston Post 65 Tuesday and Winfield Post 187 Friday.
Post 32 took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Adam Richmond singled home Jake Meadows who walked to start the at-bat.
The big explosion came in the fourth when Beckley scored six runs.
Bryson Redmond and Brown opened with back-to-back singles and moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt from Grayson Kesterson. Colten Tate singled home Redmond before Brown crossed on a wild pitch.
Tate later scored on a wild pitch ahead of RBI-singles from Brayden Kiblinger and Reece Patterson. Kiblinger crossed when Patterson was purposely caught in a rundown.
Former Nicholas County All-Stater Cole Brown was unflappable on the hill pitching a complete game 3-hit shutout with five strikeouts and just one free pass on the day.
The scoreless streak continued into game two with Post 32 building a 3-0 lead through four innings. Charleston finally found the plate in the fifth for one run before exploding for five runs in the sixth en route to a 6-3 win.
Six singles and a crucial error by Beckley, along with a balk and hit batsman aided the outburst by the visitors.
K Frye and B Eggleton combined to limit Beckley to one earned run and three hits while striking out nine.
Both doubleheaders with Charleston Post 65 (Tuesday) and Winfield Post 187 (Friday) will start at 6 p.m.