Post 12 in state finals

Eagle staff
Published: July 26, 2008

TROY — Dothan Post 12 manager Larry Tubbs got his 500th win with the program, and Dothan is one win away from a state championship.

Dothan beat Florence Post 11 by an 11-4 score Saturday morning in a winner’s bracket game at the American Legion state tournament.

Dothan (38-14) will play today at Troy University’s Riddle-Pace Field at 10 a.m. for the right to advance to the Southeast Regional in Shelby, N.C. Post 12 will have to get beaten twice in order not to advance.

“I thought if we played above our heads or overachieved, we’d have a chance to win this thing,” Tubbs said. “The lights are on right now for this bunch. Postseason pulls a different perspective with Post 12.”

Dothan’s 12-8 win over Decatur Post 15 Friday night didn’t end until well after midnight, and the team had to get up at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, so it figures that it took seven innings for the offense to get going.

Dothan was behind 4-2 going into the seventh, but scored eight runs in that inning to blow the game open.

“None of the kids got any sleep,” Tubbs said. “We were a bit lethargic. We finally got to their bullpen.”

A two-run triple by Matt Whitton tied the game at 4-all. Taye Larry’s sacrifice fly scored Whitton. Logan Dunlap singled and scored on Karsten Whitson’s double. Whitson scored on Hunter Young’s double.

Matt Ragan, who doubled earlier in the inning, tripled to drive in three runs.

“We’ve been swinging it very well for these two ball games,” Tubbs said. “Offense has really been a key factor for us.”

Jordan Reid started and pitched into the seventh, scattering nine hits with four earned runs, one walk and six strikeouts. Parrish Smith got the win in relief, striking out four in 2 2/3 innings.