BATH – Greg LaBonte’s two-run triple in the third inning gave Gayton Post the lead for good Friday in a 9-5 Zone 3 American Legion baseball victory over Smith-Tobey.

Gayton (12-1) scored three runs in the top of the third to take a 6-5 lead. Alex Hall entered the game in the bottom of the third and pitched four innings of shutout relief to secure the victory.

Joe Sullivan padded the lead with a two-run home run in the seventh. Alex Wong pitched the seventh for Gayton.

Mekae Hyde had two hits for Gayton, including an RBI double. Wong also was a repeat hitter. Gayton outhit Smith-Tobey, 10-5. D.J. Ray registered two of Smith-Tobey’s safeties.

Gayton plays a pivotal doubleheader today against first-place Bessey Motors. First pitch is at 9:30 a.m. at the Gouin Athletic Complex in Paris.