Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Charleston, Missouri – The Squirrels were on top of their game this weekend at the Missouri State Babe Ruth Championship tournament. The Squirrels’ pitcher Doug Still helped them to a 14-0 win over Boonville Monday evening during the winners bracket semifinals at Hillhouse Park advancing them to the state championship game tonight at 6:00 p.m. if the weather holds out.
“This is a solid ball club and they play fundamental baseball,” Charleston head coach Michael Miner said. “We do the little things, try to put pressure on the other team and our pitching is really good. Anytime you are sitting in the winner’s bracket game and you’ve got Doug Still on the hill, you are sitting pretty good.”
The Charleston Squirrels, who have won four of the last five state championships, have stayed perfect throughout the weekend. They have won all four games without one of them reaching the seventh inning. Monday’s game was the first to extend past the fifth inning.
Behind Doug Still’s dominance on the ground, the Squirrels’ offense followed suit starting with their lead-off hitter, Chase Young of Dexter, Missouri. He was recently released from the doctor from a knee injury during basketball season playing for the Dexter Bearcats. Chase is hitting .451 in 92 at bats laying at 50-60% since June 15th. It’s been just under four months since his ACL reconstruction surgery, an amazing recovery time for any player. Chase has already signed to play baseball at the UT Martin.
Chase was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with a double and four RBIs. His double in the second inning led to Charleston’s first score of the game.
Young singled in Cord Sheehy to make it 4-0 and then the squirrels added two more runs in the 5th on a ground out by Still and another RBI single by Young. Boonville had no recourse and in the sixth inning the Squirrels put up eight runs in the top of the inning with seven hits during the rally.
Trey Tigart is expected to be on the mound for the Squirrels tonight. “We are sitting where we want to be,” Minner said. “We have got everybody ready to pitch tomorrow and teams are going to have to fight to get back to us. To be 4-0 right now is a tribute to our kids.”
State Championship title game tonight at 6:00 p.m., Hillhouse Park in Charleston. We wish the Charleston Squirrels good luck!
