By James Costello Sports Writer
PLYMOUTH — The last time American Legion Post 27 met up with Mishawaka Post 161, Plymouth pitcher Tyler Shook got hit hard in a lopsided 13-4 loss. If Post 161 was hoping to see the same pitcher again Tuesday, then they were disappointed.
Shook did pitch again, but this time he put in five and two-thirds strong innings on the mound, striking out nine while giving up just two hits for one unearned run, leading Post 27 to a 6-2 victory over the visitors at Bill Nixon Field in Plymouth.

“He pitched against these guys last time, and they knocked him around a little bit,” said Post 27 head coach Tony Plothow of Shook. “We took a chance this time, and he did a good job... His slider was on tonight, and he got ahead of hitters.”
Shook got off to a rough start at Tuesday’s game, however, walking Post 161 lead-off hitter Dylan Brammer with four straight balls before fanning the next two batters. Before Shook could close out the inning, Mishawaka clean-up hitter Dan Ranchert worked him back to a full count, then slapped a hard chopper down the third-base line for an RBI single. Post 27 second baseman Nathan Wottring assisted on a Brandon Elliott put-out of Ranchert at second on the next at-bat to retire the side before any more damage could be done.
The home team evened the score at 1-all in the bottom of the inning, as Steve Cornett was hit by a pitch and scored when Ryne Sweeney grounded into a double play batting in the number four spot for Post 27.
Post 27 wasted no time in taking a two-run lead in the bottom of the second frame,  then stretching it to a decisive 6-1 advantage going into the fifth.
Jay Badell, who finished 2 for 3 and reached three times for the home team at designated hitter, poked a stand-up double into center to get things started in the bottom of the second, then catcher Mo Weddington capitalized on an error in right to reach base for Post 27. Both runners scored as Cornett came back around and drilled the first offering by Post 161 pitcher James Ross into right with two outs on the board.
“We had some big two-out hits,” said Plothow. “That’s something that’s been missing... (Badell) got us going in the second, and the big hit that inning was by Steven Cornett with that two-out single.
“He’s been playing well for us all year in that lead-off spot since Ohio (Post 29 Tournament in Zanesville),” added Plothow of Cornett. “He’s a tough kid right now to get out of the line-up.”
Post 27 scored once more in the third as Elliott drew a walk then stole both second and third. He scored when third baseman Joel Solis batted into Post 161’s second double play of the evening.
The home team widened its lead to five runs in the fourth with runs by Weddington and right fielder Jake Bloom, who laid a perfect bunt down the third-base line and was later scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Cornett.
Shook, backed up by an error-less Post 27 defense — including especially remarkable play by Elliott, who finished with three assists and two put-outs at short — retired Post 161 batters in order in innings two, four and five, and allowed just one hitter to reach on a fielder’s choice in the second frame. The young hurler started to wear down in the fifth, though, giving up three straight walks with two outs to load up the bags. Triton lefty Bret Houlihan was brought in to cinch it up, and closed the inning out as Chad Shomber flew out to right.
Houlihan gave up three hits in the close, including a double for an eventual run scored by Post 161 five-hole hitter Tyler Krempamsky. Post 161 never threatened, however, and Post 27 improved to 11-6 with Tuesday’s win. The team will take home field again tonight as it hosts Crown Point Post 20 at 7 p.m.
• PLYMOUTH POST 27 6,
MISHAWAKA POST 161 2
At Plymouth
P 161:  1 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 1 — 2  5  2
P 27:    1 2 1   2 0 0   0 0 0 — 6 11  0
James Ross (L), Jordan Nespyjoney and Dan Ranchert; Tyler Shook (W), Brett Houlihan (6), and Mo Weddington, Cody Bucher (7).
2B: Tyler Krempamsky (P 161), Jay Badell (P 27).
Record: Post 27 11-6.