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By Alan Ford for the Mail Tribune August 14. 2015 6:34PM Rolling Along Medford third baseman Colton Westfall applies a tag on Millard's Jared Renken during an eighth-inning rundown for an inning-ending out. PHOTOS BY CLAY LOMNETH SHELBY, N.C. — One thing we’ve seen so far at the American Legion World Series thus far — good pitching and low scores. Somehow the Medford Mustangs have managed to scrap and claw their way to a pair of one-run victories to put themselves in prime position here at Keeter Stadium. Medford captured a 3-2 win over Millard, Nebraska, on Friday and improved to 2-0 in pool play at the eight-team tournament. The Oregon champion Mustangs (44-13) will next take on Waipahu, Hawaii, at 9:30 a.m. PDT Saturday to wrap up pool play. A third win would clinch the No. 1 seed in the Stars Division and a semifinal date Monday against the No. 2 team from the four-team Stripes Division. Medford, which has an off day Sunday, likely would still advance to Monday’s semifinals with a loss. After Thursday starter Jordan Ragan set the bar high for the Mustangs’ rotation with his effort against two-time defending champion Brooklawn of New Jersy, right-hander Cody Coggins was equal to the task this time around on Friday. Coggins shut out the Nebraska opposition on one hit through seven innings before Aaron Hutchinson came in to quell an eighth-inning rally and notch a save. “Our pitching has been phenomenal all year for us,” Medford head coach Nate Mayben said. “What’s pleased me is the way our defense has been. We’re finally playing to our potential.” Medford’s Austin Zavala delivered a pair of RBI singles in the pitcher’s duel, with teammate Micah Brown providing a RBI double for the victors. Both Mustangs finished 2-for-3. “Individual stats don’t matter, it’s about finding a way to win,” Zavala said. “We’re just getting enough (offense) to win. “Our pitching has been great through the regular season, the state and regional, and now here. That gives us a lot of momentum when we come in to bat.” It was the second straight hard-luck outing for Millard (41-19). After a 5-4 loss in the opener to Hawaii on Thursday, the Nebraska champs got down 3-0 before finally breaking through in the eighth inning. Singles by Drew Gilin, Ryan Bier and Jared Renken made it 3-1, chasing Coggins. After a balk by Hutchinson put runners at second and third with two outs, Nate Mallot slapped a single up the middle. Oregon second baseman Tate Cowden was able to knock the ball down behind the bag. One run scored on the play to make it 3-2 but Cowden threw behind another runner at third base to cause a rundown for the third out. “That was a huge play,” Mayben said. Nebraska’s Jonah Ulane worked seven strong innings with all three runs unearned. He struck out three and walked three. Coggins gave up four hits in his 7⅔ innings to get the win, striking out six with two walks. Hutchinson allowed two hits in 1⅓ innings of scoreless relief. Millard concludes pool play Saturday with a 4:30 p.m. PDT matchup with Brooklawn. Millard, Neb.;000;000;020;—;2;6;2 Medford;100;000;20x;—;3;8;0 Ulane, Boryca (8) and Mallott; Coggins, Hutchinson (8) and Zavala. W — Coggins (11-0). L — Ulane. S — Hutchinson. 2B — M: Brown. MEDFORD 3, NEBRASKA 2RECAP: Cody Coggins improves to 11-0 after allowing four hits in 7⅔ innings and Aaron Hutchinson squashes a late threat to help the Mustangs win their second pool play game at the American Legion World Series.UP NEXT: Today, 9:30 a.m. PDT, Medford vs. Waipahu, Hawaii.WHERE TO WATCH: ESPN3 and www.legion.org/uploads/baseball/alws/ http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150814/SPORTS/150819732 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->