AUBURN — Runs were plenty in both games of the Rogers Post and Bessey Motors doubleheader at Austin Field Tuesday night, and Rogers Post made the most of it.

Tyler Libby ripped a single in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 2 to lift Post 153 to a 7-6 win and a sweep of Zone 2-leading Bessey Motors. Rogers held on in game 1, also, for an 8-5 win.

But it was Bessey that started things off in a hurry in the waning sunlight.

Shortstop Janek Luksza slung a two-out single into center. Luksza’s single was followed by a double by first baseman Ashton Kennison and just like that the visitors had an early lead.

Rogers’ pitcher in Game 1, Libby, was able to keep two runners on to end the inning, and gave his offense a chance to go to work.

“I was out on the boat with friends today,” Libby said. “When I’m out with friends before a game, that’s how I know I’ll have a good game.”

Leadoff hitter Austin Cox took the second pitch from Bessey pitcher Colton Carson and smashed a double to get the ball rolling for the home team. Two batters later, Jarrod Norcross Plourde hit a single and stole second. With two on, Grant Hartley stepped up and lifted a 1-1 pitch into the bushes over the left field fence for a three-run home run.

“Fireworks,” Rogers coach Dave Jordan called them.

Libby got out of the second unscathed, letting his team increase their 3-1 lead. After an opening strikeout, Rogers recorded back to back singles into right, who both later scored on a Cox single. Rogers got two more to cross home and by the end of the second their lead was 7-1.

Bessey didn’t roll over, however. Luksza started a run of three-straight singles and a fielder’s choice in the top half of the third to cut the deficit to just three. Rogers was able to score one more to run their total to eight, and even though Bessey scored another run in the fifth, they didn’t have enough fire power in the end of game one, losing 8-5.

In Game 2, it was more of the same for Rogers. After a long flyout by the leadoff man, Austin Brown shot a single into left and was instantly driven in by Plourde. Bessey was able to get out of the inning by a great defensive play that doubles up Plourde at second later in the inning.

Bessey returned fire in the top of the second inning when Brayden Bean reached first on a fielder’s choice. Bean went on the next pitch to second and when the throw was sent into center by catcher Giles Paradie, Bean headed for third. The throw to third was also high, allowing Bean to tie the game at one.

In the third inning Plourde hit a two-run home run after Austin Cox drew a walk to lead off the third, making it 3-1. To start the fourth, Bessey played more small ball when Luksza’s single turned into a stolen base and eventually a run.

Rogers scored two more in the fourth off a double from Paradie and a sac fly from Cox, extending their lead to 5-2.

“We didn’t put our best effort out there on Saturday.” Jordan said. “The guys really worked hard to play better tonight.”

In the sixth, Kennison hit a two run shot to right field that bounced off the outfielder’s glove and over the fence, making it 5-4. Rogers didn’t have an answer in the bottom half of the inning, leaving the door open for Bessey.

In the top half of the seventh, Emery Chickering was able to get on base and later score on a passed ball, sending the game into extras.

In the top of the eighth, with the whole Bessey team hanging on the dugout fence, Brayden Bean drew a walk and later scored on a passed ball, taking a one-run lead.

Rogers’ Maxx Bell hit a single and, after a steal, tied the game on a single by Paradie, pushing the game to a ninth inning.

In the top of the ninth, Bessey got runners on the corners and the crowd on its feet, when Paradie made a diving catch at second and doubled off the runner at first to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, Austin Brown got on with a single and after a strikeout and intentional walk, Libby ripped a single into right field to push in the game-winning run, leading Rogers to the win.

“Once the fans and the other team started cheering I knew I was in it to win it,” Libby said. “All I thought in my head was, ‘I’ve got to do something to make this team win.’”

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