Redbirds win Bantam tournament on shocking play

PARK HILLS – It was an All-Farmington showdown for the Bantam League championship as the Redbirds faced off against the Outlaws on Thursday. Although the Outlaws held a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, a couple of miscues by the Outlaws on a chaotic play handed the Redbirds a thrilling 7-6 win to become the league champs.

The Outlaws got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Coby Moon, Logan Winder, and Saige Barton had three straight singles, but Moon was later called out for interference. Alex Conway was walked to load the bases, and Justin Boehm and Aaron Hargiss were also walked to force a pair of runs across the plate.

The Outlaws extended their lead in the fourth frame. Austin Dement kicked off the inning with a single, but the next two batters struck out. Winder was walked and Barton blasted a three-run home run for a 5-0 advantage. Conway immediately followed with a solo shot as the Outlaws added one more tally.

The Redbirds broke the shutout in the bottom of the fourth inning. Conner Forsythe was walked and Jordan Ankrom immediately followed with a triple to center field as Forsythe scored. Blake Worley then connected for a RBI double for a 6-2 contest.

The Redbirds continued to fight in the bottom of the fifth. Grant Waddell walked and Jake Andrews singled to place two men on with no outs. Trent Wideman was walked to load the bases.

Forsythe was also walked to cut into the deficit and put the tying run on base before one wild play suddenly changed the outcome of the game. Ankrom hit a pop fly to first base, but the ball was fumbled as Andrews and Wideman both scored. Ankrom safely reached first, but Forsythe raced home in an attempt to tie the score.

The ensuing throw to the plate sailed wide, allowing Forsythe to score easily. Another errant throw back to first base went past every defender as Ankrom circled the bases with the championship run for his team.

Ankrom tossed the first three and two-thirds of an inning as he struck out 10 opposing batters. Forsythe finished up and struck out two to earn the win.

Outlaws – 002 40 – 6

Redbirds – 000 25 – 7

WP – Forsythe 1 1/3i 3bb 2k.

Hitting:

Outlaws – Barton 3, Moon, Winder, Dement, Conway. HR – Barton, Conway.

Redbirds – Hastings 2, Ankrom 2, Andrews, Worley. 2b – Hastings, Worley. 3b – Ankrom.

THIRD PLACE GAME

Mustangs 11, Yellow Jackets 5

PARK HILLS – Before the championship contest, the Farmington Mustangs and the Potosi Yellow Jackets faced off once again to decide who the third-place winner will be. The Mustangs led 5-4 after the second inning and kept the lead for good with an 11-5 triumph over the Yellow Jackets.

Farmington’s Tom Burcham was walked to kick off the game. Logan England followed with a two-run homer to right field for a quick 2-0 lead.

Potosi had an answer in the bottom of the first. Luke Jacobsen and Dylan Coleman both singled, and Colby Eckhoff connected for a two-RBI double to tie the game. Aaron Vinson followed with a RBI single as the Yellow Jackets took a 3-2 edge.

Andrew Harris and John Morgan were both walked at the beginning of the second inning. After a fielder’s choice play, England came through with his second home run of the day for a 5-3 game.

Brendan Kelley was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the second frame. After a single by Brendan McCoy, Coleman came through with his second single to score Kelley.

John Augustine was walked at the top of the third inning and Evan Thurman tripled as Augustine crossed the plate. Ethan Grimes was hit by a pitch and Harris connected for a RBI single. A productive ground ball by Harris scored Grimes for a four-run lead.

The Mustangs added to their lead in the fourth inning. Burcham started the frame with a double and Augustine connected for a RBI single with two outs. After a pair of walks, Harris connected for a two-RBI double for an 11-4 contest.

Coleman slightly narrowed the gap in the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo shot to left field. This was all that the Yellow Jackets came up with.

Mustangs – 233 30 – 11

Yellow Jackets – 310 01 – 5

WP – Callahan 3 2/3i 2h 2bb 6k.

Hitting:

Mustangs – England 2, Harris 2, Burcham, Augustine, Thurman, Grimes. 2b – Harris, Burcham. 3b – Thurman. HR – England 2.

Yellow Jackets – Coleman 3, McCoy, Jacobsen, Eckhoff, Vinson, Kamper. 2b – Eckhoff. HR – Coleman.