The American Post 70 17U baseball team began day one of the 2017 state tournament with a 0-1-1 record on Friday after tying with Monroe County 1-1 and falling to Winfield 6-4.

“The first game we played, nobody likes to tie, but it was better than a loss,” said head coach Ross Hixon. “These first two games were pool play only so it didn’t hurt us too bad to tie 1-1 against a pretty good team.”

Friday’s games made up the pool play session of the tournament to determine seating for Saturday’s single-elimination style tournament.

Max Copeland, who hasn’t had much of a chance to pitch so far this summer pitched all seven innings and allowed just one run on three hits.

“We got a great effort and overall performance on the mound by Max Copeland,” Hixon said. “He has pitched just once or twice this year. I think he threw a three hitter. We just couldn’t scratch across a run.”

Post 70 got the early 1-0 lead in the first. Trevor Barron reached base on a walk and was followed up by Wood Jinright reaching on an error. After Reed Jinright reached on a bunt base hit, Nate Renfroe hit a sacrifice fly to score Barron.

Post 70 put up four runs in the first inning in game two against Winfield, but was able to get just one more hit the rest of the way.

“I told they guys when you jump ahead that early you put the nail in the coffin,” Hixon said. “Instead they let Winfield hang around and chip away every inning. Next thing you know they had the lead 6-4 and we couldn’t get anything going.”

Post 70 will now wait to see where they stack up in the tournament. They will begin play on Saturday morning with the exact time still to be determined.

“As far as what we came to do as far as winning this tournament is still all in front of us,” Hixon said. “The real tournament starts tomorrow. We just have to regroup.”