IE 15u’s quest for a Missouri Fall State Championship fell short as they could not complete a comeback against KC Phenom Premier.
The 15u team battled through a tough pool schedule, going 1-1 with a win against Minnesota Select (10-9) and a tough loss against the Saints (12-8). With a 1-1 record, the team seeded #6 in bracket play. They faced off first against the #1 seed KC Elite Gold. 15u edged out Elite 2-1, behind strong pitching from Pete Simon. Inside Edge Red 15U jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a single by Jack Batten, plating Simon to start the inning off. KC Elite Gold scored its only run of the game on a RBI single by Tyler in the second inning. Batten put 15u up again in the third inning, with a RBI single that scored Zach Dillman.
The team carried the energy over Sunday to an early game against Minnesota Select. IE trouncing Select, 13-3, scoring 9 runs in the 5th inning. The run explosion helped Zach Dillman cruise to the win. Dillman allowed three runs over four innings, striking out four, walking three and surrendered five hits.
IE cruised into the championship game against KC Phenom Premier. Phenom came out swinging, scoring 3 in the first and 3 again in the second. Three runs in the top of the third helped 15U close its deficit to 6-3. An RBI single by Peter Simon and a two-run single by Mason Rogers sparked IE’s rally. But, Javen pitching for Phenom got Jack Batten to strikeout to end the inning with a runner in scoring position. Phenom answered with 5 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, and cruised to the win, scoring once more in the bottom of the 5th inning.