RAPID CITY - Las Vegas catcher John Richichi drove in three key runs, and three Vegas pitchers combine to hold Post 22 to just two runs as Post 22 dropped a late-night game, 7-2, Thursday night at the Firecracker Tournament in Rapid City.

Post 22 led the game for just half an inning, jumping out to an early 1-0 in the first inning, taking advantage of two errors by Las Vegas. Sam Wolff hit a sharp, curving line drive to right field to start the inning and scored when the Las Vegas shortstop booted a routine ground ball.

However, Las Vegas wasted no time bouncing back in the bottom of the inning by scoring three runs in the in the top of the second, using three singles, including a drive to left by Richichi that scored two runs.

Post 22 continued to struggle at the plate only managing six singles. Las Vegas pitcher Nick VanRoy had Post 22 hitters off-balance though the first four innings by using a combination of a slider and painting his fastball on the outside corner.

Still, Post 22 threatened several times in the game, and either hit the ball hard right at a fielder in a key situation, or just couldn't get the big hit.

The game was over when:

Las Vegas scored two runs in the fifth after consecutive doubles by Jayson McClaren and Justin Loya.

A wild-pitch scored McClaren and Loya was singled home on Richichi's third RBI of the night. They added two more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

Thursday's MVP:

Las Vegas catcher John Richichi who went 2-for-3 on the night with three RBI's.

Other key players:

Justin Loya and Jayson McClaren both had two hits for Las Vegas. Sam Wolff had two hits for Post 22.

On deck:

Post 22 (19-20 overall) continues the Firecracker Tournament with a doubleheader tonight against Cheyenne, Wyo., at 5:30 p.m., and West Warwick, R.I., at 8 p.m.

Other action:

Spokane lost its first game of the tournament to Missoula, Mont., 7-4, in the early morning game. Ben Roberts had two doubles and scored two runs for Missoula.

Spokane bounced back in its second game topping Coon Rapids, Minn., 5-1. Trevor Fox stayed hot at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and Jake Schrader was 2-for-3 with a double.

In the third game of the day, Las Vegas trounced Cheyenne, Wyo., 9-1, in six innings because of the eight-run rule. Danny Reynolds went 3-for-4 with two RBI for Las Vegas.

Fort Collins, Colo., edged West Warwick, R.I, in extra innings, 13-9, after a walk-off grand slam home run by Jake Stewart in the tournament's fourth game of the day.