Bears' Messer's 2-for-3 day bright spot in loss

JERSEYVILLE – Will Messer’s 2-for-3 day with two singles, two RBIs and a run scored helped Edwardsville American Legion Post 199 when it was needed in Sunday afternoon’s first game of the Firecracker Classic tournament’s group stage at Ken Schell Field in Jerseyville, but Post 199 dropped a 5-4 decision to Jefferson City Post 5 when they came up with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh.

Messer felt that missed opportunities hurt Post 199 in the course of the game.

“There was a lot of stuff we should have taken advantage of,” Messer said. “It’s a heartbreaker, but we’ll get back at it.

“It was a lot of technical stuff, a lot of minor stuff we should have fixed; had we done it, it probably would have been a win for us.”

Jeff City took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, forcing Edwardsville to have to come from behind, which they did to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth. “That inning, we gave them those three runs,” Messer said. “That’s pretty much the inning that killed us – what amazed me about us was that we’re down by three and came back, put up one there, one there and two to go ahead and it came down to a hit in the gap for them to win.”

Post 199 subsequently dropped a 6-2 decision to Elgin, Ill., in their final group game to finish 2-2 in the group and not advance to Monday’s scheduled semifinal game.

More like this:

American Legion Post 199 Pushes Bold Edwardsville Golf Course Renewal

2 days ago

Collinsville Baseball Eyes Bigger Run In 2027

May 30, 2026

River Dragons Return Home Tonight for First Responders Night in Alton

Jun 3, 2026

'Stellhorn Has Amazing Night In Goal:' Belleville West Plays Hard With Edwardsville Entire Girls Soccer Regional Match

May 23, 2026

Reagan Jumper Lifts Edwardsville Past O'Fallon in Sectional Semifinal

May 27, 2026