Homers from Winder, Harlow power MABA

DENVER, Colo. — A patient offensive approach during a tight battle helped MABA advance in the winner’s bracket of the 11-year-old Midwest Plains Regional Tournament on Monday afternoon.

Logan Winder blasted a decisive two-run homer on a 3-2 pitch in the sixth inning after Jake Bridges singled with a full count and two outs, and Mineral Area handed Baxter, Minn. its first tournament loss in an 8-6 thriller.

MABA trailed 6-5 through four frames, but Conner Proffer scored the tying run in the fifth after reaching third base on a double by Keenan Johnson.

Drew Harlow earlier connected on a long home run, and Bridges finished with three hits including a double to pace Mineral Area, which plays Yankton, South Dakota today at 1:30 p.m. for a berth in the championship final.

Winder pitched the last three innings with six strikeouts and two hits allowed for the win. Starter Brennan White worked the first three frames and yielded two runs, while Andres Castro added another single for MABA.

MABA 13, Kansas 2

DENVER — Action began in the double-elimination championship bracket on Monday morning with MABA easily rolling past the Kansas state champions 13-2 in four innings.

Winning pitcher Jake Bridges went the distance on the mound with seven strikeouts and six hits allowed. Kansas scored its only two runs on a first-inning home run.

Drew Harlow collected two extra-base hits for MABA, including a homer that soared well beyond the left-center fence, and Garrett Thomure delivered a two-run triple in the opening frame.

Brandt Busenbark and Logan Winder added two hits apiece and Brayden Krause doubled in the victory. Andres Castro, Conner Proffer and Bridges picked up singles.