RAPID CITY - Pitcher J.J. Johnson gave Post 22 exactly what the team needed Wednesday night in the first of two games for Post 22.

Johnson threw strikes, stayed ahead of the hitters and let his defense work behind him as he pitched a five-hit 9-1 win over Missoula, Mont., in a game shortened to five innings by the eight-run rule.

"He got the ball and pitched ahead throwing only 56 pitches which is outstanding work," Post 22 head coach Dave Ploof said.

Johnson improved his record to 4-1 on the season and did not allow either a walk or a strikeout in the fast-moving game completed, which lasted a mere 55 minutes.

The quick pace aided the Post 22 bats as they pounded out 11 hits in four innings of work. Post 22 wasted no time getting on the board, scoring four runs in the first inning courtesy of five successive singles. Jordan Mette began the hit parade with a soft liner to left. Sam Wolff, Brock Estes, Steven Ficken and Jarrett Jensen continued the barrage and coupled with two Missoula errors led to the four runs.

In the second inning, Wolff's sacrifice fly drove in Parker Sullivan, who had walked, and in the third frame John Jarding singled sharply to center field chasing in two more runs. The game was effectively settled in the bottom of the fourth as Jarrett Jensen stroked a two-run homer over the right-field fence, his third hit of the game and third RBI. Estes chipped in with two hits for Post 22 which moved to 19-18 on the season and 1-1 in the Firecracker. Centerfielder Taylor Nordby had two hits for Missoula which fell to 0-3 in the tournament.

"We pitched well, hit the ball hard, up and down the lineup, and played well defensively displaying all aspects of the game," Ploof said.

In the last game of the evening, Fort Collins, Colo., jumped on Post 22 early, scoring four times in the first inning as the Colorado team benefited from early wildness by Post 22 starter Sam Wolff on the way to a 9-1 six-inning win. In the first inning, after the first two batters had singled, Wolff walked the next three hitters forcing in two runs.

Then settling down, Wolff fanned the next two hitters and appeared about to escape further damage until first baseman Mitchell Bean blooped a single down the right-field line head plating two more runs. That blow seemed to deflate Post 22 and may have been the decisive point in the game.

Fort Collins' lefthander Marco Gonzales allowed a single run on a double by Kolton Emery in the fourth.

"They are a very good team and we had players who were too excited tonight and weren't able to compete," Ploof said. "That is how you get better by playing the good people and that's why they are here."

In other tournament action, Fort Collins banged out 16 hits in a 12-3 win over Las Vegas in a game shortened to five innings by the eight-run rule.

Las Vegas bounced back in the second game of the day to win a squeaker over Coon Rapids, Minn., 1-0. Right-hander Jayson McClaren tossed a six-hit shutout while Ryan Kuehl paced the Las Vegas offense with two hits including a double.

Cheyenne, Wyo., defeated West Warwick, R.I., 7-1 pounding out 14 hits in the third game of the day. Cheyenne pitcher Ty Lain went the distance on a seven-hitter. Brandon Nimmo and Nick Colbert each had three hits and David Lazarus contributed two hits including a triple. Kyle Creamer led West Warwick with two hits.

Spokane, Wash., rapped out 15 hits in a 10-1 drubbing of West Warwick. Trevor Fox and Alex Wolf Wolf had three hits each in the game.

On deck:

Games begin at 9 a.m. today with Spokane, Wash., meeting Missoula, Mont., and conclude with Post 22 playing Las Vegas in a 7 p.m. start. Also, a barbecue for Championship Club Members and Hall of Fame members will be from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. And a fireworks display will follow tonight's game.