Festus Post 253 finished 2-2 at the American Legion baseball state championships, which were held Thursday through Saturday Liberty Park Stadium in Sedalia.
After beating Washington Post 218 2-1 in the first round Thursday, Festus was shut out 3-0 by Sedalia Post 642 on Friday, dropping Post 253 to the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament. Festus (32-11) beat Washington 5-1 Friday night to advance to the championship on Saturday.
Post 253 and Sedalia battled for 10 innings before Post 642 emerged with another 3-0 victory and its first state title since 2016. Festus reached the state tournament in 2017 and last won a state title in 2011. Both teams advanced to the Mid-South Regional Tournament in Hastings, Neb. this week. Post 253 plays Emporia, Kan. Post 5 in the first round on Wednesday.
For complete coverage of the state tournament, read Thursday’s Leader.