Winner Legion Splits a Pair

Twelve runs in the 7^th inning propelled the Winner/Colome Legion baseball team to a 24-14 victory over Valentine, Neb., on July 11.

Four hits from Jackson Kinzer helped lead the way for the Royals. Kinzer singled in the first, homered in the third, doubled in the sixth and doubled in the seventh.

Both offenses were strong at the plate as Winner/Colome collected 21 hits and Valnetine 12 in the high scoring game.

The Royals took an early 4-1 lead but Valentine captured the lead in the second inning. Valentine scored four runs when Turner Tinant homered.

Winner/Colome took the lead for good in the fourth inning with three runs.

“I was happy with the way we bounced back against Valentine after blowing a late lead against Platte-Geddes,” said coach Drew Weber.

The Royals had lot of good hitters in the Valentine game. Riley Cahoon had 3 singles, 2 runs; Carter Brickman, 3 singles, 3 runs; Andrew Laprath, 2 doubles and 4 RBIs; Shea Connot, 2 singles and 2 RBIs; Ty Bolton, 2 singles and 2 runs and Chase Dufek, 2 singles, 2 runs and 2 RBIs

In pitching, Cale Meiners pitched four innings allowed 8 runs, 7 hits, 8 walks and 5 strickouts.

Levi McClanahan pitched two innings with 2 runs, 3 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts and Shea Connot pitched 1 inning with 4 runs, 2 hits, 3 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Winner/Colome fell to Platte-Geddes 10-9 on the final play of the game on July 10.

The game was tied at 9 with Platte batting in the bottom of the seventh when Seth Kirsch singled on the first pitch scoring one run.

The Royals had 6 hits and Platte 10.

Batting, Kinzer had 2 singles and 3 RBIs; Bolton, 2 singles and 2 runs scored and Calvin Ringing Shield an RBI double.

Brickman pitched five innings allowing 6 runs on 8 hits, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.

Dufek pitched an 1 1/3 inning with 4 runs on 2 hits, 2 walks.

“We really struggled making tough plans for our pitchers against Platte and that doomed us as they had 9 in field hits,” said Weber. “I am really pleased with the way we have been hitting the ball lately, but we need to back that up with more consistent pitching and defense,” added the coach.