Postseason play means nine innings instead of seven in American Legion baseball, and Post 56 used every single one of them.

Jake Kilby scored his first home run ever in the Albert Lea American Legion Post 56 baseball team’s 4-3 win over Rochester (Mayo) Post 92 in the District 1 quarterfinals Tuesday at Hayek Field.

“That was huge for him,” said Legion coach Jay Enderson of Kilby’s big night at the plate.

Jake Bordewick was another offensive force for the Legion, with two runs scored — one of them being the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

“The guys stepped up and did what they had to do,” said Jay Enderson. “We hit the ball and took walks when we needed to take walks.”

Parker Mullenbach had to come out later in the game due to an aggravated back injury.

Jay Enderson called Tuesday’s pitching “very solid.”

Jonathan Fleek was the winning pitcher for the Legion, allowing just one hit in his 1 2/3-inning appearance. He walked none and struck out none. Jay Enderson said Fleek came in for the Legion in the seventh inning with two runners on base.

“He was good enough to hold them, and didn’t let them score,” he said.

Chris Enderson was on the mound for the Legion for the first 7 1/3 innings, and allowed three runs on six hits while walking six and striking out two.

Jay Enderson called Tuesday’s victory a team win, and said it puts the team on the path to winning the tournament in four games. The change of nine innings instead of seven is a dynamic one, according to him, and he said his team has handled it well.

“This is a huge win for us,” he said. “It was the team pulling together to win the way we should win.”

The Legion head coach also noted how the team’s fans came out in force to cheer them on in their last home appearance of the season.

“There were a ton of fans tonight,” said Jay Enderson. “It’s awesome to see everyone come out. It’s nice to see the place full.”

Next, the Legion will play Rochester John Marshall at 1 p.m. Thursday at Dale Massey Field in Rochester.

“This was a very, very good start,” said Jay Enderson. “We have to take it one game at a time. I like our chances.”