The Tupelo 49ers started fast, then had to endure a lengthy weather delay, and ultimately held on to beat Lincoln (Neb.) 7-4 at the American Legion World Series on Saturday.
With the win, the Niners clinched the Stripes Division title, which locks them into Monday’s semifinals against the second-place team from the Stars Division.
Tupelo (26-5-1) scored four runs in the second inning and two in the third before a lightning delay halted play. Colin Flurry’s two-run homer – his third dinger of the weekend – kickstarted Tupelo’s second inning. Eli McDaniels then doubled the advantage with his two-run double to right field.
In the third, Brayden Edmiston scored on a fielding error, and Will Moody drove in Flurry for a 6-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the game entered a weather delay, which lasted about 90 minutes.
Lincoln immediately threatened once play resumed, putting runners on first and second with one out. That ended Tupelo starter Cade Lott’s day, but Braedyn Lackie induced a pair of flyouts to avoid damage. Lackie went 3 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits.
McDaniels scored on a throwing error in the fourth to make it 7-0. The catcher finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Edmiston and Flurry also finished with two hits apiece, and Tupelo had 10 as a team.
Lincoln (51-7) finished with seven hits. The Rugs scored three runs in the seventh but could get no closer.
Tupelo, which is 2-0 in pool play, returns to action at 6 p.m. Central on Sunday against Fairfield (Calif.).