While the doubleheader Tuesday between Sedalia Rick Ball Ford and Sedalia Bombers 16-and-under was friendly — the Bombers usually travel tournament-to-tournament and the contest would not count against Junior Legion district standings — the Sedalia clubs were playing for pride.
Despite the stakes, neither team was particularly sharp as Rick Ball Ford, a 17-and-under club, swept the Bombers by eight runs in each game, 10-2 and 13-5.
“It’s a fun game to play,” said Post 642 infielder Baron Austin. “We wanted to win this game for sure.”
Zane Ragland matched Carson Ash on the hill, allowing five runs on seven hits in five innings. Ash, who survived 11 hits and three errors behind him, was knocked out in a four-run fifth.
Brandon Neale, who had two runs batted in, scored on a wild pitch to enact an eight-run mercy rule.
Sedalia Rick Ball Ford sent 11 batters to the plate in a seven-run second. Braiden Ballard earned two of his four RBIs with a bases-loaded single through the right side.
Connor Tichenor, a Junior Legion memeber last summer, started game two pitching and played shortstop in game one. Normally on the 18-and-under team, he filled in for 16u Tuesday.
He decided to join the Bombers for 2017 before the spring high school baseball season, and said a more competitive environment against older opponents were key factors.
“I wanted to get more experience at a higher level,” Tichenor said.
Sedalia Rick Ball Ford scored five runs in the first inning of its 10-2 victory in game two. Neale recorded four hits and Colton Zerilli went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Warrensburg hosts Sedalia Post 642 AA for a doubleheader 6 p.m. Wednesday.
