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!
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!
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
The US Amateur Qualifying was held this week at Norwood Country Club in St. Louis, MO, on the West Course. A field of 106 players, which is the 6th largest field in the country for 2013, played 36 holes to determine the qualifiers for the US Amateur.
When asked, Chance stated, "Just making it to the tournament is quite an accomplishment. If you have one bad hole, you could be out. I played well and give so much credit to God and I am very thankful to everyone who prayed and supported me this week."
Chance has been playing golf almost his entire life. Fourteen years total of his young 21 years on this earth. We hope he has a long and joyful golfing career ahead of him.
Chance's caddy, Seth Hill, is from Bloomfield, Missouri and is not only a good caddy, but a good friend. "He and I play quite a bit of golf together and he did an excellent job this week."
So what is next for Chance? "I will continue to work on my short game for a couple of hours a day." continued Holden. "I will continue to keep doing what I do as it worked pretty well this week. I am very excited and honored to go to Brookline."
A full field will play Round 1 and then they will be cut for Round 2 which will be the top 64 players. The winner of the US Amateur will be invited to play at the Masters next year. "It's the greatest golf course in the world." stated Holden.
The Dexter Community is extremely proud of Chance. His accomplishment is truly remarkable and we wish him best as he plays at The Country Club in Brookline, MA.
Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The final games of the 2013 Rib City Shootout will take place this Friday, July 19th and Saturday, July 20th.
The Lady Bearcats will take the courts including varsity, junior varsity, 7th and 8th grade teams. Dexter is the only Stoddard County School taking part this weekend.
Thirty-five teams will be competing in the Bearcat Event Center, High School gym and the TS Hill Middle School gym.
Teams from all over will be joining the Bearcats; included are Valley View, AR, Dynasty, Hillcrest, AR, Poplar Bluff, East St. Louis, IL, Licking, Steelville, Notre Dame St. Louis, Calico Rock, AR, Naylor, Bismarck, Greenville, South Pemiscot County, Charleston, Kennett, Doniphan, Chaffee, East Prairie, South Iron, Clopton, and Twin Rivers. Some schools will be bringing their middle school students only. Check the schedule for a team game time.
Dexter Varsity Times:
Friday, 11:15 a.m. vs Valley View, AR at the BEC on court #2
Friday, 1:30 p.m. vs Dynasty at the BEC on court #2
Friday, 3:45 p.m. vs Poplar Bluff at the BEC on court #2
Friday, 6:45 p.m. vs Hillcrest at the BEC on court #2
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. vs Licking at the BEC on court #2
Saturday, 1:45 p.m. Q with Steelville at BEC on court #2
Dexter JV Times:
Friday, Noon vs Twin Rivers JV at the High School Gym
Friday, 4:30 p.m. vs Licking JV at the High School Gym
Friday, 7:30 p.m. vs Newburg JV at the BEC on court #3
Saturday 10:00 a.m. vs Valley View, AR at the Middle School Gym
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. vs Chaffee Varsity at BEC on court #3
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. vs South Iron Varsity at BEC on court #3
For a complete schedule click here to to to the Rib City Shootout website's home page or check out their Facebook Page.
Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Charleston, Missouri - Tonight, Thursday, July 18th the Charleston Squirrels are hosting the Babe Ruth State tournament at Hillhouse Park in Charleston, Missouri. This is the 5th time the Squirrels have hosted the State tournament and are the defending Senior Babe Ruth Missouri State champions. There will be 10 teams competing for the State Championship.
Chaffee all-state picks Cody Payne and Jared Walker and Scott City all-state selection Ryan Fortner make up part of Charleston’s roster. Dexter's own Brad Potts and Chase Young along with Bloomfield's Travis Phillips and Tim Fox will also be among Squirrels fighting for another State Championship and a chance to go to the Regionals in Iowa.
Coach Mike Minner stated, “We are excited to host the tournament. It should be a fun weekend in Charleston. We just hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable time at Hillhouse Park and of course, we want the Squirrels to win!”
The actual tournament begins at 5:00 p.m. with East Prairie against Jackson, the other teams start play on Friday. This year’s tournament is double-elimination style with the loser’s of the Thursday and Friday’s opening round games getting one last shot to save their season on Saturday.
With the Squirrels having a great season at 41-9, they have a very good chance of beating the Leopold Razorbacks tonight. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Hillhouse Park.
The Charleston Squirrels have taken four of the last five state championships and reached the Midwest Plains Regional Tournament each of those five year. The winner of the tournament will earn a trip the regional tournament to be held in Oscaloosa, Iowa.
To follow the Squirrels go to their website at www.nutsbaseball.com.
