By Journal staff

OMAHA, Neb. - Rapid City Post 22 finally found what it has been missing since they left home earlier in the week, some timely hitting and a solid pitching performance.

On Saturday, Post 22 picked up its first win in the American Legion College World Series with a 7-1 triumph over Omaha Ralston.

The win snapped a five-game losing skid for Post 22 including two in the ALCWS tournament.

J.J. Johnson went the distance for Rapid City allowing only four hits over seven innings to improve to 3-1 while dropping his ERA under 2.00 on the year.

The offense supplied eight hits on the day, but more importantly was the fact Post 22 had four extra base knocks, (all doubles) in the game.

Post 22 scored a run in the first and second inning to take the early lead and then added a single run in the fifth and four more in the sixth to take a 7-0 lead.

Ralston scored its only run in the bottom of the sixth.

Steven Ficken scored three runs for Post 22 while adding two hits. Dana Hill added two hits and two RBI to pace the offense.

Ficken, Hill, Kyle Singer and Sam Wolff all had doubles.

Wolff continues to pound the ball at a .530 clip to lead the team in hitting.

Post 22 (13-10) will take on Omaha Roncalli in an early game today to wrap up the tournament.

Post 22 returns home to take on Merced, Calif. on Tuesday and Wednesday at Fitzgerald Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The New Horizons Band under the direction of Milo Winter will play from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night before playing the National Anthem prior to the game.