The Northwest Vipers 8 & Under machine pitch baseball team traveled to Basehor, Kan. for the Father’s Day Special hosted by Midwest Sports Productions June 20 & 21.
The Vipers battled the heat and won all five of their games en route to their second tournament championship of the season.
In their first pool play game, the Vipers picked up a 17-8 win over the Platte City Smashers. River McCallon of King City had three hits to lead the Vipers’ offense. He was followed by Tristen Lager of Stanberry, Logan Craig of Eagleville, Drake Simmons of Parnell, Tyler Houchin of Maryville and Eli Dowis of Conception, each with two hits. Jacob New of Sheridan and Collin Breckenridge of King City had one hit each. Simmons and Lager each scored three runs, followed by New, Craig, McCallon, Dowis and Jacob Lewis of Winston each with two runs scored.
In their second pool play game of the day, the Vipers defeated the Kansas Rockers by a score of 19-0. Leading the way for the Vipers’ offense was Houchin with three hits. He was followed by Craig, Simmons, Dowis and Breckenridge, each with two hits. New and Lewis each scored three runs to pace the Viper offense. They were followed by Creid Stoecklien of Maryville, Lager, Craig and Simmons, each with two runs scored.
In their final pool play game of the weekend, the Vipers defeated the Shawnee, Kan. Royals by a score of 18-4. Houchin and Tanner Sears of Higginsville each had four hits to lead the Vipers.
They were followed by Breckenridge and Dowis with three hits each and McCallon, Simmons, Craig, Lewis and Stoecklein each with two hits. Sears scored four runs, followed by Breckenridge, Dowis and Houchin, each with three runs scored. The Vipers’ 3-0 pool play record earned them the top seed in the single elimination tournament where they had a rematch with the Kansas Rockers. The Vipers won the rematch by a score of 19-7. New and Craig each had three hits to lead the offense. They were followed by Stoecklein, Lager, Lewis, Simmons, McCallon, Houchin, Sears and Dowis with two hits apiece. Lager scored three runs and was followed by Stoecklein, Craig, Simmons, Sears and Breckenridge with two runs scored each. The win over the Rockers advanced the Vipers into the championship game of the tournament where they faced the Platte City Rockers. The Vipers used a balanced offensive attack with each player tallying at least one hit to claim a 17-5 victory. Dowis, Houchin, McCallon, Simmons, Craig, Lewis and Lager each had two hits for the Vipers while Dowis, Sears, Houchin, McCallon, Simmons, New, Lager and Stoecklein each scored two runs.
“I thought the boys hit the ball really well this weekend. Hopefully that will carry on as we head to the state tournament,” coach Rob Dowis said.
The Vipers’ record stands at 19-7 on the season. They will next see action June 26-29 at the state tournament to be played at Mill Creek Park in Independence, Mo.
Maryville, Mo. —
