13-year-old Mineral Area All-Stars are heading to state

FRANKCLAY — The 13-year-old Mineral Area All-Stars showed up ready to play Sunday afternoon in the district championship game against SEMO South. The same team that pushed the local all-stars to the brink on Saturday got a strong taste of offense on Sunday as Mineral Area plated seven runs in the first inning enroute to a 14-5 win.

Dominic Petty picked up the win for Mineral Area. Petty pitched two innings, gave up three runs on three hits, and struck out a batter.

Run support was in full force in the first inning for Mineral Area as the local all-stars tallied up seven runs in the inning. Matt Smallen had the big hit of the inning with a three-run double. Amil Bequette had a two-run triple and Derek Smallen had an RBI single.

SEMO South fired back with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The second inning was a draw as each team scored a run in their respected at bats.

Things started to get out of the hand though, in the third inning. Logan Stevens led off with a walk and advanced to third on a ball hit by Ethan Sitton that was booted. Cody Huff then drew a walk to load up the bases. Petty followed with a two-run single to give Mineral Area a 10-3 lead.

A fielder’s choice hit by Nick Hoehn added another run to Mineral Area’s score. Derek Smallen drew a walk to load up the bases. Tyler Thompson followed with a walk to give Mineral Area a 12-3 lead.

Mineral Area went back to work in their at bat in the fifth inning. David Alcorn led off with a double and advanced to third on a double hit by Derek Smallen. Jordan Politte then smashed a two-run single to put Mineral Area on top 14-3.

SEMO South answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning to avoid the 10-run mercy rule.

Derek Smallen led Mineral Area at the plate with a double and a single. Bequette had a triple while Matt Smallen had a double.

Mineral Area will now travel to Monett for the state championship tournament. Mineral Area will play the Southwest Missouri team Thursday at 2:30 p.m.