LINDEN - The Livingston Post 201 Junior Legionnaires have their marching orders: they must win three games in a row starting Sunday against Elizabeth.
Livingston is in the do-or-die situation after falling 12-6 to Mt. Olive on Saturday at Memorial Field in Linden in the District 2 section of the double-elimination state final tournament.
In the loss to Mt. Olive, Livingston had its moments as three Post 201 players had a pair of hits each; this included third baseman Conner Kimmel (2-for-4, one run), designated hitter Justin Tepper (2-for-4, one RBI) and right fielder Brady O'Connor (2-for-3). In addition, shortstop Jordan Farber had three RBIs while going 1-for-2 on the day.
Find out what's happening in Livingstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After a stellar regualr season, only losing two games, Livingston's Junior Legion found what it was like to be on the losing side on Saturday, which was a surprise.
"We were on a magic carpet ride for most of the season and playing a lot of baseball," said Livingston Manager Bob Thiemer.
Find out what's happening in Livingstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The blistering heat, that seemed to hit the 100 degree mark, should have been a bounty for hitting, but Post 201 did not get their bats going until the last inning. "With the metal bats and the heat, it was a day for hitting," said Thiemer.
For the most part, the hitting and pitching was not there for the team. Livingston bats did not take advantage of the conditions and Post 201 starting pitcher Dock did not have his best stuff in the loss.
"It was one of those days," said Thiemer. "I don't think (starting pitcher) Jake (Dock) had one of his better days on the mound. They're a good hitting team. I hate to be philosophical, but it is was it is."
It also was one of the first games this season in which Post 201 used metal bats. The Essex County league uses wood bats and Livingston had only one independent game with metal bats this season before Saturday.
Thiemer is hoping that a three-run seventh inning for his team will get them going for a nice run for the rest of the week as the District 2 tournament continues. In the seventh inning, Livingston put a strong four hitters on base. The big hit came off of Farber, who smacked a two-out base hit down the left field line that scored centerfielder Taylor Parsons and second baseman Evan Miles to trim the Mt. Olive lead to 12-5.
The next batter, Tepper, sliced a base hit between second base and shortstop to score Farber to make it 12-6. But then catcher Alex Haberman grounded out to second base to end the rally and the game.
Livingston found themselves behind from the start as Mt. Olive put two runs on the board during the first inning, including a windblown triple. But Post 201 came back with a run of their own and Farber walked home on a pass ball for a 2-1 Mount Olive lead.
But the third inning was the undoing for Livingston as they allowed six runs. Mt. Olive put six consecutive batters on base including an RBI triple from James Renna. Livingston tried to chip away at the lead with a run each in the bottom of the third and the fourth innings. Farber brought home Conner Kimmel from third base. Kimmel had smacked a double to lead-off the inning for one run and then Taylor Parsons hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth to bring home Haberman for an 8-3 Mt. Olive lead. But in the end, Livingston fell 12-6.
