LEOMINSTER — It all comes down to one game.
After navigating the double-elimination bracket, Milford Post 59 and Leominster Post 151 will square off for the Massachusetts American Legion District 4 Championship tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Leominster, with the winner earning the district title and advancing to the state tournament.
The matchup features the tournament’s top two seeds. Top-seeded Leominster reached the championship game by advancing through the winner’s bracket, while second-seeded Milford battled back by defeating Grafton yesterday after losing to them on Saturday.
Milford earned its championship berth with an emphatic 8-1 victory over Grafton Post 92 in Sunday’s elimination game. Nick Pedroli fired a complete-game three-hitter while the offense pounded out 10 hits. Pedroli drove in two runs and collected two hits, while Joey McGee, Gavin Metcalf, Ben Maiorano, Matt Pedroli, and Nolan Murray all contributed key offensive performances.
Leominster punched its ticket to the title game by defeating Shrewsbury Post 397, 3-1, behind a dominant complete-game effort from Danny Frade, who allowed just one hit while striking out three. AJ Wozniak provided the biggest offensive blow with a solo home run as Leominster remained unbeaten throughout the District 4 tournament.
These two teams split their regular season series, with the home team winning each game. Leominster defeated Milford by a 2-1 score on June 14 after Leominster pitcher, Danny Nelson pitched 6.2 miraculous innings, striking out 10 batters.
Milford would take down Leominster at Fino Field on June 26 by a 5-2 score. They were led by Ben Maiorano who had a 3-for-3 day with a trio of RBI’s.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Leominster, with the District 4 championship and a trip to the state tournament on the line.
