Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Charleston, Missouri – The Squirrels won their sixth state title along with dominating the tournament with the greatest performance of any team making history with a 14-4 win over Boonville.
“It never gets old,” head coach Michael Minner stated this evening. “This has been a special group of kids. To be 46-9 on the season is impressive to say the least and it speaks worlds about these kids, their parents and their high school coaches that have brought them up. It is a tribute to area baseball and we have had a heck of a summer.”
Domination was the key to the Squirrels’ successful tournament. They completely overpowered their opponent by completing all of their games in less than 7 innings. No teams survived past the sixth inning and they won by the mercy rule in every game. In all, Charleston outscored their adversaries a combined 61-6.
“We really don’t like to play a full seven inning game,” Charleston first baseman Ryan Fortner said. “We like to play five or six and get it over with early. I don’t think anyone expected us to win each game like we did.”
The Squirrels were a little concerned during the second inning they trailed 2-1 and were losing, but the Boonville players’ spirit didn’t last long. Charleston responded with six runs in the bottom of the second to permanently retake the lead 7-2.
Brad Potts was on fire tonight with his triple which really got things going for the Squirrels. Cord Sheehy and Chase Young each scored a run. Before anyone new what hit them, Brad Potts was at bat again to rally two more RBIs with his single up the middle.
The Squirrels added two more runs in the third inning to go ahead 9-2. Boonville tried to bounce back with two runs in the top of the fifth. Jared Walker answered their rally with a single to lead off the home half of the fifth inning.
Charleston continued their hitting and with bases loaded, the winning run was at the plate. Another run came in when Cody Payne hit a ball infield, which led to Brad Potts stepping to the plate with two outs and bases loaded again. It was like watching a Cardinals’ World Series game. People were on their feet cheering for the home team hoping for a home run!
Potts hit the ball to deep left-center field that rolled all the way back to the wall easily fetching him two RBIs. Before Boonville could attempt an out at home plate, Payne ran in to give Charleston the win with another mercy-rule win and the Missouri State Babe Ruth Title!
“I was thinking, put it in play, put it in play, just put it in play!” Potts said of his walk-off triple. “I knew with two outs that the runner on first would win it so I was just like, PUT IT IN PLAY and see what happens. Our offense have been the key this year!"
The dynamic duo of Potts and Young both performed well. Chase had three hits and served as lead-off hitter while driving in a pair of runs and scoring another three. Potts went 3 for 3 at the plate with five RBIs and a walk.
The Squirrels will now travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa this week to compete in the Midwest Plains Regional Tournament with hopes of advancing to the Senior Babe Ruth World Series.
Final score 14-4. Congratulations to all of the Charleston Squirrels. A job well done! Good luck at the Regional’s and we look forward to seeing you play in the World Series!
