Highland loses late lead in title game setback at Elsberry-Washington tournament
The Highland Bulldogs 18U baseball team had everything it needed until the final two innings Sunday.
In those final two frames, however, Alton’s bats and pitching stole a shot at the Elsberry-Washington AAA Tournament title away from the Bulldogs.
Highland carried a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning, but Alton got a three-run, bases-clearing double to take a 5-3 margin and then added an insurance tally for a 6-3 win to claim the 12-team tournament at Ronsick Field in Washington, Missouri.
Highland advanced to the championship by knocking off host Washington 2-0 in the semifinal round earlier in the day. Although Highland did not win the title, manager Kyle Schmitt considered the weekend successful as the Bulldogs went 4-1 in finishing second.
“It was a great bounce-back weekend (after going 0-2 last weekend),” Schmitt said. “Last weekend was our first weekend of games and we struggled a little bit last weekend and had to shake off some the rust and this weekend was a really big weekend I believe and the boys played really well.”
Against Washington, Highland went ahead 1-0 in the second inning as Logan Doll singled past second base into right field and Colby Frey doubled to left, putting runners as second and third. Doll then scored on a passed ball.
Highland got its final run in the third inning when Carter Wiegman cracked a run-scoring single for a 2-0 margin.
That was all Tyler Werner needed as he pitched a dazzling 6 2/3 innings of one-hit ball. Werner gave way to Chase Wilson in the seventh and he earned the save.
“Tyler Werner pitched a gem and the pitch limit got him there so he couldn’t finish it, but Chase Wilson was able to close it,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt said knocking off a perennial legion baseball power like Washington was a good confidence builder.
“So, the Washington team was a very good team and I know they run a really good program down there. And for legion, they go to state almost every year and they have a strong program, so their team is really good,” Schmitt said.
In the championship game, after two scoreless innings, the Bulldogs broke through in the top of the third against Alton starter Owen Macias for three runs to get a quick 3-0 lead.
Sophomore Mason Barnes started the game for Highland and held the lead until the bottom of sixth. However, an error, a bunt and a walk chased Barnes and forced Schmitt to bring in Chase Wilson in relief.
Wilson was then touched for a bases-clearing triple and an RBI single which flipped a 3-2 lead into a 6-3 deficit, as Highland saw its title hopes fade away.
Team making steady progress
Thanks to a strong showing in Elsberry and Washington over the weekend, Schmitt believes the team is settling in a bit.
“I’m really happy with their performance,” Schmitt said. “They played better defensively at times, and the pitching was a lot better than last weekend and that’s all that I can ask for as we’re still trying to get guys’ (arms) stretched out with not having a spring season.”
Highland (6-4) is scheduled to play Piasa Southwestern at 8 p.m. Friday at P.I.C. Park and then at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mascoutah. Both games are tentative due to COVID-19 guidelines and concerns.
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 10:31 AM.