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 Derek blumenstock catches a hit in action from the state tourney in Valley this past weekend. Photo courtesy Mike Peterson.
Wednesday's, July 25 Class C, Area 1 championship game pitted TBS (Taylor-Burwell-Sargent) against O'Neill. O'Neill came from the winner's bracket so TBS had to win twice to make it to the state tournament in Valley. In the initial game TBS scored first with a run in the bottom of first inning to take an early lead. In the top of the third the Irish scored to tie the game at one apiece. However, TBS scored four runs in the bottom of the same frame to retake the lead. The Irish went quietly in the fourth but in the top of the fifth the Irish closed the lead to one as they scored three runs. But again, TBS rallied for three runs in their half of the inning and tacked on three more in the sixth. The Irish could only muster two runs in the top of the seventh leaving the final score 6-11 and setting up a second championship game as each team had one loss. Angel Rodriguez started on the mound for the Irish and pitched four innings allowing only one earned run. Donnie Taylor came in relief to finish the game. The second game started with TBS scoring three runs in the top of the first. The Irish, playing as the home team, responded with a run as Jordyn Johnson lead off with a walk and scored on a fielder's choice by Alex Fuhrer. TBS scored a single run in the top of the third but the Irish scored one of their own in the bottom half as Derek Blumenstock lead off with a walk and got to third on Luke Loecker's single, then scored on a balk. TBS was held scoreless in the fourth. The Irish bats really came alive then as Donnie Taylor and Jordyn got on base due to errors and Kyle Loecker knocked them in with a base hit. TBS changed pitchers and Derek took the first offering from the new pitcher and deposited it over the left field fence for a two run homer that gave the Irish their first lead of the game. TBS did not give up as they scored four runs in the top of the fifth due to two Irish errors as they reclaimed the lead. The Irish roared back with four runs in their half of the fifth as Luke Loecker, Donnie Taylor, Tyson Schutt and Jordyn Johnson all crossed the plate to put the Irish up by two. The Irish continued the scoring in the sixth as Alex Fuhrer, Calvin Willats and Donnie came across the plate to put the lead at 13-8 and that is how the game ended as TBS could not score another run the last two innings. The Irish traveled to the state tournament in Valley over the weekend and were defeated losing two games to eliminate them from the tourney.
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