Post 19 Juniors excited for return of summer baseball

By Chris Yow

The Columbia Post 19 17U team took the field for the first time on Friday morning with back-to- back games to start their season, participating in a tournament relocated to Zion Christian Academy after COVID-19 restrictions forced a move from Davidson County.

The Post 19 Juniors went 0-1-1 on the day.

Zion Christian baseball coach Jon McDonald said he was happy to open his field for the weekend.

“This gives us a chance to use our facility and show it off, but it’s also a chance for these kids to get to play,” he said.

Post 19 Juniors coach Cameron Bair said his team’s jitters were noticeable early, but he was pleased with how they settled down as the first game went on.

“You could see them shaking a little bit,” Bair said. “That’s normal with your first game like this, but we got settled in and I’m proud of how they responded.”

The MAD Mavericks jumped out to an early lead en route to a 7-1 win in the first game of the tournament over Post 19. Brentwood High standout Michael Finch blasted a 2-run homer off Spenser Turnbow for the Mavericks in the first inning to set the tone. He finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

Finch also earned the win on the hill in the game for the Mavericks, pitching 3.2 innings, giving up just one hit and striking out six.

For Post 19, the lone offensive bright spot of Game 1 was a Jake Cardin single in the seventh inning that scored Caden Czajka on a play at the plate. Noah Stuart pitched 2.1 innings, giving up no hits and striking out four.

Post 19’s Caden Czajka tumbles across home plate for the team’s only run in a 7-1 loss to the MAD Mavericks Friday at Zion Christian. (Photo by Chris Yow/SM-Tn Sports)

In Game 2, the defense was stellar for both Post 19 and their opponents, the Middle Tennessee Wolves, as the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

Coleman Sinard had the only hit of the game for Post 19. Czajka started the game on the mound and pitched three innings, scattering three hits and striking out two Wolves hitters. Bryston Graves tossed three innings of shut out ball as well, while Ryan Kirby held serve in the seventh inning.

The Post 19 team will take the field again tomorrow at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. to finish the first weekend of the year.

“We are obviously excited to get on the field since we haven’t been able to do anything but practice,” Bair said. “I hope we can stay settled down for those next couple of games.”

Chris Yow is the multimedia director for Southern Middle Tennessee Sports. He can be reached by email at sports@sm-tnsports.com or on Twitter at @ChrisYow14.

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