Hillsboro players on state-bound baseball team
A Cottonwood Valley all-star team won the Cal Ripken District Four Tournament held in Marion this past week, advancing to the state tournament at Scott City this weekend.
The team was undefeated in four games, winning the championship game Monday, defeating Moundridge 15 to 4.
Calvin Jeffrey pitched four and a third innings facing 17 batters, allowing two hits, one run, two bases on balls, and three strike-outs. Brian Palermo pitched the last inning, facing three batters and striking out two. Pitcher Chase Carlson started the game, facing six batters.
The Cottonwood team gave up three runs and had two defensive errors in the first inning, but only had one more error the remainder of the game.
Moundridge found itself in the opposite situation, taking a 3 to 2 lead into the third inning but falling apart after that.
Jeffrey started the third-inning rally with two outs, reaching base on an error. Palermo doubled, Cole Starkey singled, then Bryce Suffield and Zac Fine both advanced on errors.
The inning wasn't over. Gavin Serene singled, Eli Fowler reached base on an error, and Logan Richmond singled.
The inning ended with Cottonwood Valley taking an 8 to 3 lead. Moundridge never threatened again.
The district champions open play at 4 p.m. Friday at Scott City.
Team members are Brett Billings, Chase Carlson, Zac Fine, Eli Fowler, Justin Heidebrecht, Calvin Jeffrey, Daniel Jost, Brian Palermo, Logan Richmond, Travis Riesen, Gavin Serene, Cole Starkey, and Bryce Suffield. Batboy is Colton Jeffrey. Mike Jeffrey is manager and coaches are Mitch Carlson and Allan Richmond.
Cottonwood Valley Two included members Greg Davis, Luke Gordon, Kevin Hampton, Elliot Hett, Johnny Lang, Isaac Leihy, Mitchell Leppke, Gabe Moore, Josh Olsen, Matt Thierolf, and Jacob Thurston. Batboy was Conner Thierolf. Manager was Grant Thierolf, and coaches were Jerry Hett and Mark Davis.
The tournament was made up of teams from Sedgwick, Newton, Council Grove, Moundridge, and the two Cottonwood Valley teams. Unlike state tournaments, team members don't stay with host families at district tournaments.
