BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Manager David Flurey knew, even before the game on Tuesday, Aug. 7, that his team had to win at least once the next day to take home the New Hampshire American Legion baseball tournament title.

But by losing, 15-2, to Laconia on Aug. 7, the Sweeney Post baseball team left no room for error.

Had the previously undefeated squad won the semifinal match-up against its Lakes Region foe, it would have had two chances against Keene to secure the championship.

Now, Sweeney’s season hinges on one game, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m., against the winner of the Keene and Laconia semifinal contest earlier in the day.

“It doesn’t matter. We beat them both, so regardless of who we play, I expect a good game,” said Flurey.

After a scoreless first and second inning, Laconia scored five runs in the third. But Flurey’s boys held the opposition scoreless the next three innings and had repeated chances to chip away at the lead.

In the fourth, Auburn’s Matt Skeffington led off with a single and advanced to third when a pickoff attempt sailed over his head. After consecutive walks to load the bases, Shane Robinson knocked Skeffington home with a base hit.

Three consecutive outs later, however, Sweeney’s rally was killed.

Similarly, in the bottom of the sixth, Craig Charest singled and came home on an Alex Quintal double.

Auburn’s Kyle Morrill hit a pinch-hit single and stole third to put runners on second and third, but Sweeney again couldn’t capitalize.

Laconia scored 10 runs in the top of the seventh and, after a scoreless bottom of the frame, Sweeney lost via mercy rule.

Flurey expressed confidence going into the finale, noting his team showed resiliency when it mounted a five-run comeback in the bottom of the ninth to beat Nashua in the opening round, 10-9.

“All we needed to do is win one more game on Wednesday to be the state champs,” said Flurey following the loss. “The kids knew that going in. We didn’t throw any of our stud pitchers, and now we have four or five fresh arms ready to go. I’ll take my chances with that.”