Strong pitching and defense got it done for the United South Central American Legion team Thursday night in Jackson against Wabasso in the District II playoffs.

Post 210 got seven shutout innings from starter A.J. Dreyer in an 8-0 win while the defense behind Dreyer was just as sharp.

“Our defense played awesome tonight and we got the hits when we needed to,” said USC head coach Pat Frank.

Ned Kalis, Kevin George and Dustin Dylla each had multi-hit games for Post 210 (15-7) as it defeated Wabasso, the team that bounced USC from the playoffs last season in a 14-1 win.

Kalis went 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBIs while George finished 2-for-3 with a long solo homer. Dylla tallied two hits as well for Post 210.

Dreyer gave up five base hits, walked two and struck out just one, but the defense behind him was stout. Dreyer recorded five putouts and Anthony Stenzel also had five put outs. Stenzel also turned two double plays in the game.

USC scored single runs in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings before breaking the game open with four runs in the sixth. Eric Lackey connected for a two-run triple in the sixth to key the inning.

The win pits USC against Jackson in the consolation bracket Friday at 5 p.m. for the chance to move on to face Luverne in a semifinal matchup.

“I’m proud of these kids,” Frank said. “They’ve been battling. We’re going to go in there and see what we can do.”

USC 8, Wabasso 0

Wabasso 000 000 0 — 0 5 2

USC 011 114 x — 8 8 1

WP — A.J. Dreyer 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

LP — Sam Guetter 5 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K