By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

LA GRANDE, Ore.– The pitching and defense of the Post 58 Crushers continue to show what they’re capable of as they wrapped up their fifth game in three days, picking up their third-straight win in the process Sunday against the La Grande Legends in La Grande.
Stayton’s Cody Leming went seven of the scheduled nine innings of the Crushers 5-1 win Sunday evening in the ‘getaway’ game from their four games in Idaho on their way back home. Leming struck out seven in the process, pacing La Grande High School’s Jace Schow’s five innings.
Schow helped lead the Tigers to the 4A State Championship Title against Hidden Valley back on June 7, but the Crushers managed to get seven hits and three runs across the board before La Grande went to the bullpen. And as solid their defense was, Post 58’s offense was the same.
Led by Tanner Manning, who went 11-for-16 with 7RBI’s and a home run in the five games this past weekend, the Crusher offense backed their defense up as they build some consistency going into their Area-3 League opener against the Withnell Dodgers on Tuesday.
“It shows us, as a team, that we can work together as a team. It’s really good with us going into our games with Withnell,” Manning said. “It’s great to see that bats come around and not just mine. But we put up eight hits against a pitcher who pitched the State Championship Game against Hidden Valley a couple of weeks ago. It was a team effort.”

Leming surrendered only one run in his seven innings on the hill, a sacrifice ground-out in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Eagle arm limited them to that one run. Leming surrendered three hits total before handing over the mound to Regis’ Max Eaton to finish out the game.
“We came out I thought and played great defense. I think that’s what led to our victories, which huge especially with this game,” Leming starts. “Just going into Withnell this week, I think it’s huge to have a win under our belts.
“I think the teams here are great. It was great to see a lot of great talent against us and I’m glad that we were able to come out here and compete. Use that as practice to get strong.”
The Dodgers will bolster a strong defense and bats and will be hungry for a win themselves after falling to Medford and Klamath Falls the past two days.
Leming points to arm care coming off of their five-game stretch as well as communication as key. Manning points to keeping their bats rolling against that defense as the two teams will meet up Tuesday at Regis High School for a 2pm first-pitch of their doubleheader. Game 3 of the series will be at Scio High School Wednesday at 5pm.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald