ALTON — Joe Stephan had two hits and an RBI, and Tate Powell pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts as Alton Post 126 opened the Illinois Fifth Division tournament with a 6-1 win over Trenton Post 778 on Wednesday night, July 15, 2026, at Lloyd Hopkins Field in Gordon Moore Park.
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The first-round victory in the double-elimination tournament sends Post 126 to the second winner’s bracket semifinal Thursday night in Steeleville against the winner of the game between host Steeleville and St. Jacob.
Alton took control early, scoring four runs in the first inning for a 4-0 lead. Post 126 added single runs in the second and fourth innings to make it 6-0.
Trenton scored its only run in the top of the seventh, but Powell limited Trenton to three hits to secure the win. He allowed one earned run, walked two and struck out seven in a complete-game effort.
Stephan led Alton with two hits and an RBI. Carter Watson had a hit and an RBI, John Kunz and Abe Kribs each had a hit, and Jayce Steinkuehler and Ryan Lowis each drove in a run.
Post 126 will play either Steeleville or St. Jacob in the semifinal Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Steeleville. The winner advances to the winner’s bracket final Saturday at 2:30 p.m. against either top-seeded Aviston Post 1239, Orient Post 1961 or Smithton Post 937.
A loss on Thursday would send Alton to the loser’s bracket for an elimination game Friday at 7:30 p.m. A win in that scenario would move Post 126 into another elimination game Saturday at 5 p.m., followed by the loser’s bracket final Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The championship series is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. and, if necessary, 4:30 p.m. The division winner advances to the state tournament in Aviston from July 22-26. The state champion moves on to the Great Lakes regional Aug. 5-9 in Lexington, Kentucky, with the regional winner advancing to the 101st American Legion World Series Aug. 13-18 at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, North Carolina.
