Diane Stamm | The Imperial Republican
The umpire was in good position to see Imperial 1 pitcher Noah Rau tag out a Hershey runner in a close play.
Diane Stamm | The Imperial Republican
Destry Oxford rips a single for Imperial 1 in the championship game.
Courtesy Photo
Members of the Imperial 1 peewee tournament championship team are, front from left, Coach Dave Oxford, Parker Terryberry, Taylor Maddux, Brextin Moreno, Destry Oxford, Zak Anderson, Tate Teply, James Bomba, back from left, Coach Eric McDaniel, Lukas Fries, Conner Stromberger, Lleyton McDaniel, Noah Rau, Braxton Chubb, Evan O’Neil, Coach Josh Moreno and Coach Mark Bomba.
Diane Stamm | The Imperial Republican
Imperial 3’s Josh Kunkel reacts to his teammate’s catch of a fly ball in their first round tournament game.
Diane Stamm | The Imperial Republican
Imperial 2’s Noel Tarin slides safely into third base ahead of the Wallace throw.
Diane Stamm | The Imperial Republican
Imperial 3’s Tatum May fields the throw from a teammate and prepares for a play at the plate against Sutherland.
Imperial 1 wins Tri-County League Pee Wee tourney
Imperial 1 was the top seed in the Tri-County League tournament and took the tournament title over the weekend.
Imperial 3 lost its opening game to Sutherland Wednesday night, the same evening Imperial 2 lost its game to Wallace.
Wallace advanced to take on Imperial 1 Thursday.
Wallace batted first in the game and scored one run, but left two runners stranded on base. Brextin Moreno and Braxton Chubb had first inning hits for Imperial 1 as four of the team’s first five batters scored.
After holding Wallace scoreless in the second inning, Moreno doubled for the second time and scored Imperial 1’s only run of the inning.
Wallace got a double of its own in the third inning and was able to score a run, but Imperial 1 matched it in the bottom of the inning when Conner Stromberger scored.
Imperial 1 broke the game open in the fourth inning, holding Wallace scoreless while bringing home seven runs. Taylor Maddux, Moreno, Chubb, Stromberger and Destry Oxford had hits to close out the 13-2 win.
Moreno went 3-3 at the plate.
Chubb and Stromberger combined to allow four hits and give up five walks while striking out eight.
Friday Imperial 1 took out Ogallala 1 in the semifinals.
Imperial 1 allowed only two Ogallala 1 base runners in the first three innings and didn’t allow any runs.
Imperial 1 didn’t have any trouble bringing players home. Singles by Evan O’Neil and Chubb helped score three first inning runs and every inning got better. Imperial 1 plated five runs in the second inning and seven in the third inning. Leading 15-0, Imperial 1 did allow six runs by Ogallala 1 in the fourth inning, but closed out the game with a 16-6 win.
Oxford started for Imperial 1 with Stromberger coming on in relief. Together they struck out nine, walked three and gave up six hits. Imperial 1 churned out 17 hits in the championship game win over Hershey Saturday afternoon.
After Hershey stranded a runner on third base to start the game, Imperial 1’s first four batters put the ball in play and brought Moreno home for a 1-0 lead.
Hershey nearly tied the game in the top of the second inning, but a close call at the plate ended the threat. Imperial 1 took advantage as six of their first seven batters in the bottom of second had base hits.
Imperial 1’s lead dwindled to 8-2 by the end of the third inning when Imperial 1 had four singles, but had three runners called out running the bases.
Hershey took advantage of Imperial 1 pitching struggles in the fourth inning to score five runs and narrow Imperial 1’s lead to 9-7.
Imperial 1’s defense took over during the final two innings and didn’t allow another Hershey run.
Offensively over its final two innings, Imperial 1 saw doubles by Chubb and O’Neil. Imperial 1 scored more runs and didn’t have to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning of the 12-7 win.
Rau and Oxford combined to allow four hits while striking out 14 and giving up four bases on balls.
Moreno and Oxford each went 4-4 in the game.