LEOMINSTER — Milford Post 59 is headed to the Massachusetts American Legion Baseball State Tournament as the District 4 Champion after defeating Leominster Post 151, 11-8 in eight innings, Monday night.
Milford built an early lead before surviving a furious comeback from Leominster, then exploded for four runs in the eighth inning to secure the district title and hand Post 151 its first home loss of the season.
Milford jumped out to a 4-0 advantage through the top of the third inning, but Leominster answered immediately. In the bottom half of the inning, Mark Garner blasted a two-run home run, and Danny Frade followed with a two-run single, tying the game at 4-4.
Post 59 responded in the fourth. After reclaiming the lead earlier in the inning, Sam Schoenberg delivered an RBI double to extend Milford’s advantage to 6-4.
Leominster refused to go away, plating single runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to keep the pressure on.
The game’s biggest moment came in the bottom of the seventh. Down to its final out and trailing by one, Leominster tied the game when AJ Wozniak scored on a wild pitch by Jackson Fournier, forcing extra innings.
Milford answered emphatically in the eighth.
With runners on base, Matt Pedroli lined a two-run double deep into center field to give Post 59 breathing room. A Brady Iarussi bunt and a Jackson Fournier walk helped cap a four-run eighth inning, putting Milford ahead 11-7.
Leominster managed one run in the bottom of the eighth but could get no closer as Fournier retired the final hitters, clinching the District 4 championship for Milford.
Matt Pedroli led Milford’s offense with a 3-for-4 performance, driving in five runs while collecting a double. Sean Burchard finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Sam Schoenberg went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, a double, and two walks. Gavin Metcalf added a hit, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Jackson Fournier and Brady Iarussi each drove in a run.
Garner paced Leominster with a home run, and three RBIs, while Frade added two RBIs as Post 151 battled back throughout the contest.
Milford used five pitchers in the victory, with Jackson Fournier earning the win in relief after closing out the final 2.1 innings.
Although Milford claimed the District 4 title, both Milford and Leominster will continue their postseason runs this weekend when they compete in the Massachusetts American Legion Baseball State Tournament at Fino Field in Milford.
