Moshier: Helmuth-Ingalls, Love Post command respect in District V American Legion tourney
Looking for a dark horse in this week’s District V American Legion baseball tournament at DeLutis Field? Helmuth-Ingalls Post of Clinton and Love Post of Boonville have that look.
Neither one of those Oneida County teams has ever won a District V title, but both of them have to be upset-minded heading into Wednesday’s first round of the eight-team, double-elimination tournament.
Helmuth-Ingalls is 17-9, and armed with pitchers Jake Ross, Jordan Doroshenko, Justin Corney, Tyler White, Cory Gogola and Zach Lusby. Lee Foxton, Tyler Heck and Chris Hughes are the top hitters on a team that could make some serious noise this week if it can get by
“We played Helmuth-Ingalls early in the year and the game went nine innings and we beat them on a suicide squeeze,” Utica Post manager Greg Gaeta said. “It wasn’t a fluke. They’ve done well all year.”
That deep pitching staff is what has Smith Post coach Tony Abone Jr. picking Helmuth-Ingalls as this week’s dark horse.
“They’ve got four or five arms, and some older kids in the lineup,” said Abone. “I think it’s been a long, long time since Helmuth-Ingalls has been in the playoffs, too, so I would expect them to want to make the most of it.”
The same, of course, can be said for Love Post, a team that was missing from the playoff picture until Whitestown Post had to forfeit six of its wins. Love Post then rolled to a five-inning, 12-1 win over New Hartford in Monday’s third-place “play-in” game.
“They swing the bats, and they’re a seasoned team with some veterans (like pitchers Harry Campbell and Cody Hitt) who have been around,” said Abone. “They’re playing with house money right now. They have nothing to lose.”
“We haven’t really played to our potential until now,” said