FRANKLIN, Mass. -- Hunter Potash threw three innings of shutout ball and hit a grand slam Sunday to lead the American Legion Post 68 Juniors to an 11-8 win over Rockland at the State championship.

 

The win kept Post 68 alive in the losers bracket of the eight-team tourney.

 

After dropping a 4-2 loss to Methuen on Saturday, Post 68 bounced back to stay alive and knock Rockland out of the championship.

 

Potash started on the mound and left with a 10-0 lead. He combined with four other pitchers on the win: Joe Cracolici, Ryan Guadette, Joe Traversa and Carter Matthews.

 

Matthews earned the save by coming in to get the final out with the bases loaded in a three-run game in the top of the seventh.

 

Potash's grand slam to left made it 5-0 in the first inning.

 

In the second, Ian Benoit, Potash and Gaudette each drove in a run to push the lead to 8-0.

 

Matthews and Cedric Rose each had an RBI in the third to make it 10-0. And Rose added another RBI in the fifth to round out the scoring for Post 68.

 

Matthews went 3-for-5, and Rose went 3-for-4 with a double.

 

On Monday, Post 68 will face Barnstable, which dropped a 12-6 decision against Hudson on Sunday evening.