Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Arick Doty attempts a pickoff play, throwing to Zack Means in the Sidney Senior Tournament earlier this season. Sidney's Juniors played good baseball overall in district action, but fell short of a title. The Juniors' season continues at state this weekend when they host the state tournament.
ALLIANCE - Sidney's Junior Legion baseball team opened district tournament play here last Friday with one of its best overall games this season.
"We played good, solid baseball," Junior Coach Ray Witt said of Sidney's 10-2 win over Chadron. "We hit the ball well, we played good defense, it was just a good game."
Sidney's potential continued to show through its first three games and despite a 6-3 loss to number two seed Alliance in the second round, the Juniors bounced back hard with a 21-3 drubbing of Gering.
With just one game between the Juniors and a chance at the title game, the wheels fell off.
In that game, Ogallala jumped out to a 7-0 lead before Sidney got its balance.
"We got out-played and out-hit," Witt said of the beginning of the Ogallala game. Through the game, Sidney gave up seven unearned runs.
Still, the Juniors remembered the one thing they needed to as the game progressed.
"They didn't give up," Witt said.
Sidney battled back down the stretch, closing the gap before succumbing 8-6.
"Overall it was a good tournament," Witt said. "We just need to keep remembering when we play teams that are tougher we need to beat them and not give it to them."
Even though they didn't qualify through the district tournament, Sidney will make an appearance at the state tournament by virtue of being the host team.
As of this paper's deadline, brackets had not been established, but Sidney will play the 7 p.m. game on opening day, this Saturday, at Legion Park.
Also taking place before deadline was the district final, with Ogallala facing Alliance for the title. Alliance was undefeated entering the double elimination final, while Ogallala must win two games to claim the championship. In their first tournament matchup, Alliance clipped Ogallala 4-2.
B7 Junior District
Tournament Results
First Round
Ogallala 19, Morrill 0
Alliance 7, Gering 1
Sidney 10, Chadron 2
Second Round
Ogallala 14, Chadron 1
Alliance 6, Sidney 3
Loser's Bracket
Gering 20, Morrill 7
Sidney 21, Gering 3
Semifinal
Alliance 4, Ogallala 2
Loser's Bracket Final
Ogallala 8, Sidney 6
Reader Comments(0)