MABA clinches final four finish in regional
HAYSVILLE, Kan. – MABA seized command of the International Pool and locked down a berth in the championship bracket at the 9-year-old Midwest Plains Regional Babe Ruth Tournament on Saturday afternoon.
Mineral Area doubled up its Canadian opposition from Saskatoon, 10-5 to improve to 2-0 in pool play, and can earn a No. 1 seed among the final four teams standing with a victory today against the Colorado state champions.
Jared Jones earned Most Valuable Player honors by going 2-for-3 with a triple, and Dillon Manion reached base four times with two hits and two walks for the MABA all-stars.
Mineral Area broke open the game with four runs in the fourth inning after Saskatoon pulled even at 3-3 in the second. Jeff Sullens pitched three strong innings with three strikeouts after Briley Smith worked the first three frames.
Karter Kekec delivered a key pinch-single in the fourth while Austin Jarvis and Holden Mayberry each tripled in the win. MABA also picked up hits from Trae Robinson, Sullens and Smith.
14-YEAR-OLD STATE
MABA American 9, Boonville 6
SIKESTON, Mo. – Evan Dunivan finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored, and pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts Friday afternoon, as the MABA Americans downed Boonville 9-6 in an elimination game.
Brady Brewen and Sam Thompson picked up RBI singles, and Rider Garrett had a two-run double in the fifth inning for the American All-stars. Dunivan allowed four earned runs on seven hits for the win.
Zach Greif added a double with two runs scored and Bryant Barks produced a single and sacrifice fly in the victory. Jake Rhodes and Jimmy Moore also chipped in singles.
Sikeston 3, MABA American 1
SIKESTON, Mo. -The MABA American Division dropped its opener at the 14-year-old state tournament Friday morning, as host Sikeston prevailed 3-1 behind ace pitcher Trey Tigart.
Jake Rhodes allowed only three hits in the loss for the American squad, which was chosen by the league champion Farmington Hounds. Rider Garrett, Dante Castro and Rhodes ripped singles for Mineral Area.
Tyler Neal put Sikeston ahead with a RBI single in the third inning moments before rain suspended the action on Thursday. Josh Hampton tacked on a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
13-YEAR-OLD STATE
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Mineral Area saw its playoff run conclude with a second loss at the 13-year-old state tournament late Friday night, as SEMO South slipped past with a 5-4 victory.
Seth Tiefenauer went 2-for-3 with a double and Anthony Quinton collected two singles for MABA. Levi Earnest suffered the loss despite striking out eight batters over 6 1/3 innings.
Dyllon Parmley, Trevor Mason, L.J. Weible and Earnest each had singles.
