Eastside’s Keith Buckhault drove in eight runs combined in Rockdale Post 77’s first two games of the American Legion POW/MIA Tournament in Douglasville this weekend.

While Buckhault provided the offense, Eric Smith performed well on the defensive side.

Smith pitched a no-hitter against Sportstech as Post 77 picked up a 12-0 victory in the tournament’s first game.
Buckhault had four RBI, a triple and a double and totaled five bases to lead Rockdale Post 77 over Sportstech in American Legion baseball action Friday.

“He’s got mean intentions against that baseball when it gets thrown,” Rockdale coach Jack Murphy said. “He means to hit it hard.”

Buckhault brings a smooth swing to the plate, keeping his motion level, and putting forth the same approach every at bat.

“He just gets up there and sees the ball, and hits it hard,” Murphy said.

Cole Murphy also hit a triple and a double, driving in two runs and totaling six bases for Post 77.
Rockdale handled Sportstech in a quick game, thanks to the location of Smith.

“He’s not going to overpower you,” Murphy said. “He’s a smart pitcher who moves the ball around and changes speed.”

While Sportstech couldn’t get anything going offensively, Rockdale got going early and continued through all four innings of the shortened game.

Alderman singled to right scoring Zack Baily of Salem High, who tripled to start the inning. Alderman scored on an error and Jake Wright singled to left to reach and later came around to score on a single by Musashi Briem.
Buckhault also had four RBI to lead Post 77 over Peachtree City, 16-4, in Rockdale’s opening game of the POW/MIA Tournament.

Buckhault hit a double, helping to lead to four total bases.

Rockdale led 2-0 in the first inning, before breaking out with 10 runs in the second.

Wright drove in three runs, Tyler Mayhan drove in two and Musashi Briem tallied one RBI against Peachtree City.
Josh Smith picked up the win on the mound for Rockdale, which remained unbeaten before Saturday night’s game against Loganville.

Rockdale begins the championship round of the tournament in Douglasville today, rounding out the competition before returning to regular season play this week.

Post 77 travels to Canton at 7 p.m. Wednesday, before playing in another tournament June 21 at the AFLAC Classic at Darton College in Albany.

Rockdale returns home to host Tuscaloosa, Ala., at 6 p.m. June 26.