Consecutive losses end 12U regional tourney run

BURLINGTON, Colo. – Despite notching an opening-round win on Tuesday, the 12-year-old Mineral Area American all-stars would not survive day two of the Cal Ripken 60-foot bases Midwest Plains Regional.

Losses to teams from North Dakota and Minnesota within a 4-hour span eliminated MABA, one of two representatives from Missouri, from the double-elimination tournament.

The first two contests on the Mineral Area docket were tight battles, starting with a 6-4 triumph over the Kansas state champions.

Hayden Roney finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and two RBI, and was the winning pitcher as well. He notched nine strikeouts and allowed six hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Zack Francis drove in two runs on a double and single, and Kyle Luther scored a pair for the Americans, who extended a 3-2 lead with three tallies in the fifth inning.

Tanner Morgan retired the final two Kansas batters on fly balls to earn the save. Cody Ruble and Tyler Price added singles for MABA.

A comeback rally on Wednesday afternoon was trumped in the bottom of the sixth, as Grand Forks (N.D.) emerged with a 7-6 win on a walk-off hit.

Roney again led the charge offensively by going 3-for-3, including two doubles and three RBI. Mineral Area was outhit 13-11 while getting two apiece from Dakota Dowd, Francis and Price.

Morgan took the loss this time following 3 1/3 inning of relief work. MABA scored twice in the top of the sixth to forge a 6-6 tie.

The Americans were immediately pressed into action again, and were unable to recover in a rough 18-2 loss to Bemidji (Minn.) that ended their postseason.

Five Mineral Area pitchers combined to allow 12 hits and seven walks. Bemidji broke open the contest by pushing across 13 runs in the fourth inning.

Roney contributed an RBI double, and ended the tournament 7-for-8 as the leadoff man in the order. Cam Stevens tripled and Dylan Cochran picked up an RBI single.