Needing to play two games on Tuesday to win the American Legion baseball state tournament, Goffstown Post 16 did its best to shorten each game.
Goffstown started the day with a 19-7 win over Londonderry Post 27, and followed that up with a 12-1 win over Rochester Post 7. Both games were called early because of the mercy rule.
Against Londonderry, Riley Palmer had two home runs – one scoring three runs, the other two – while Josh Lafond also had a solo homer to go with two two-run doubles and six RBIs for Goffstown, which won the game eight innings. Londonderry got three RBIs from Jeff Parker.
Goffstown followed that win up with a seven-inning win over Rochester, the second straight day Post 16 had mercy-ruled Post 7. After losing to Rochester on Saturday, Goffstown won 11-1 on Monday before Tuesday’s big win.
Steve Beal pitched seven innings, striking out six and allowing four hits for Goffstown. Lafond had two hits and three RBIs and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Rochester’s lone run came on a sacrifice fly by Chris Tilton.
Post 16 advances to the Northeast Region 1 Tournament, which starts Aug. 5 in Middletown, Conn.
