Post 14 secures District Title, Advances to State Tournament

July 24, 2024
• Needham’s Legion Baseball Team defeated Hyde Park Post 78 for the District 6 championship, remaining undefeated heading into the State Tournament.

Although their record may not show it, Needham Post 14 has overcome obstacles on their way to the District 6 Championship. An extra inning win in the first round against Foxboro, almost blowing a 9-2 lead to Franklin, and coming from behind with a six-run rally in the 5th inning to overcome Hyde Park secured Needham a spot in the State Tournament.

Post 14 faced Hyde Park once again on Tuesday, July 23rd for the District title. Regardless of the outcome, both teams already qualified for the State Tournament. However, because of the double elimination format, if Needham were to lose, they would have to play another game right after. It was clear from the start they were not going to let that happen.

Post 78 got out to an early start, loading the bases and bringing home 2 runs to lead in the top of the first. Unlike their first meeting on Sunday, Post 14 responded quickly. Nolan Bibbo hit a triple his first time up, with Adam Hess bringing him home with a single. After 3 walks by John Hoenscheid, Hess would get a free trip home to tie the game at 2 after the first inning.

Needham would open things up a bit in the 2nd inning. Liam Field and Alex Giancola both singled to get on, and Bibbo followed it up with a walk to load up the bases. That would bring up the catcher Tyler Karp, who had quite the day at the plate offensively and defensively. Karp ripped one deep into left center on his first pitch, clearing the bases for the 3RBI double and the 5-2 Needham lead.

The top of the order would stay hot at the plate all game. The bases would be juiced again in the 4th after singles from Giancola and Bibbo, with Hess being hit by a pitch. Hyde Park feeling the pressure, let up 2 errors allowing Needham to send home 2 more runs. They would lead 7-3, never letting the game get out of their control.

In the 6th Karp would add his 4th RBI of the day, another double running in Hess giving Post 14 an 8-3 lead. The Catcher went 2-3 on the day with two doubles and 4RBI’s and recording two pickoffs. Nolan Bibbo also had a busy evening, reaching base 3 times (walk, single and triple) and scoring a run each time. Alex Giancola went 3-4 and scoring twice.

Incoming Needham HS Junior Nick Buckley started the day on the mound before being relieved by James Ko in the 5th. Buckley recorded the win with 2 strikeouts, 4 walks, 5 hits, and 3 runs. Ko allowed 1 walk and no runs, and 1 strikeout in the 7th inning that finished off the 8-3 Needham win, improving their record to an impressive 20-0. Another interesting stat – Needham’s 1-4 hitters went 9-13 on the day compared to Hyde Parks 1-4, that went 1-9.

This is the third time in program history that Post 14 has advanced to the State Tournament (1995, 1996). Both teams prior to this year’s squad finished in 2nd place to Swampscott. However, this is the first year Needham is believed to be heading into the tournament undefeated.

The State Tournament kicks off this Saturday, July 27th at Fitton Field at Holy Cross in Worcester. It is another eight team, double elimination format, with the top two teams advancing to the Northeast Regionals on August 7-11 at Gill Stadium in Manchester, NH. Needham Post 14 will face Shrewsbury Post 397 in the nightcap game Saturday night at 7:30pm in the first round.

Stay tuned to this week’s edition of The Needham Channel News this Thursday night at 7:30 pm for highlights of the District 6 Championship game!

Editor’s Note: Those highlights are now available below.

The video highlights ran as part of the Needham Channel News, a weekly newscast airing on The Needham Channel every Thursday at 7:30pm. The Needham Channel News can be found on the Community Channel: Comcast 9, Astound 15 and Verizon 29. Most Thursdays it also can be viewed on our HD Channel on Verizon 2129, Astound 613 and streaming on this site.

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