Cottonwood Valley team advances to state
A Cottonwood Valley all-star team won the Cal Ripken District Four Tournament held in Marion this past week, advancing to the state tournament at Scott City this weekend.
The team was undefeated in four games, winning the championship game Monday, defeating Moundridge 15 to 4.
Calvin Jeffrey pitched four and a third innings facing 17 batters, allowing two hits, one run, two bases on balls, and three strike-outs. Brian Palermo pitched the last inning, facing three batters and striking out two. Pitcher Chase Carlson started the game, facing six batters.
The Cottonwood team gave up three runs and had two defensive errors in the first inning, but only had one more error the remainder of the game.
Moundridge found itself in the opposite situation, taking a 3 to 2 lead into the third inning but falling apart after that.
Jeffrey started the third-inning rally with two outs, reaching base on an error. Palermo doubled, Cole Starkey singled, then Bryce Suffield and Zac Fine both advanced on errors.
The inning wasn't over. Gavin Serene singled, Eli Fowler reached base on an error, and Logan Richmond singled.
The inning ended with Cottonwood Valley taking an 8 to 3 lead. Moundridge never threatened again.
The district champions open play at 4 p.m. Friday at Scott City.
Team members are Brett Billings, Chase Carlson, Zac Fine, Eli Fowler, Justin Heidebrecht, Calvin Jeffrey, Daniel Jost, Brian Palermo, Logan Richmond, Travis Riesen, Gavin Serene, Cole Starkey, and Bryce Suffield. Batboy is Colton Jeffrey. Mike Jeffrey is manager and coaches are Mitch Carlson and Allan Richmond.
Cottonwood Valley Two included members Greg Davis, Luke Gordon, Kevin Hampton, Elliot Hett, Johnny Lang, Isaac Leihy, Mitchell Leppke, Gabe Moore, Josh Olsen, Matt Thierolf, and Jacob Thurston. Batboy was Conner Thierolf. Manager was Grant Thierolf, and coaches were Jerry Hett and Mark Davis.
"The tournament was a success," said Sean Spoonts, tournament director.
He credited the sponsors, volunteers, and workers for making the tournament run smoothly.
Margo Yates of the chamber of commerce said fans and teams were impressed with Marion's facilities, which is maintained by Spoonts, Roger Schwab, and Terry Edwards.
"It meant additional customers for some of our local businesses," she said. "It's a good thing for the community."
The tournament was made up of teams from Sedgwick, Newton, Council Grove, Moundridge, and the two Cottonwood Valley teams. Unlike state tournaments, team members don't stay with host families at district tournaments.
Game 1
Council Grove 10, Cottonwood Valley 2 8 (Johnny Lang 2-3, one score; Matt Thierolf, 2-3, one walk, one score; Greg Davis, 3-3, one walk, one score; Gabe Moore, 2-3, double, one run scored). MVP: Cottonwood Valley 2, Gabe Moore; Council Grove, Joseph Sigle. Wow: Cottonwood Valley 2, Matt Thierolf; Council Grove, Carson Spaulding.
Game 2
Moundridge 3, Cottonwood Valley 1 5 (Calvin Jeffrey, 3-3, double, one run scored; Daniel Jost, 2-1; Chase Carlson, 3-2, one run scored; Gavin Serene, 1-1; Brian Palermo, no runs scored during three innings pitched). MVP: Cottonwood Valley 1, Jost; Moundridge, Caleb Hartman. Wow: Cottonwood Valley 1, Jeffrey; Moundridge, Jacob Stucky.
Game 3
Council Grove 14, Sedgwick 10. MVP: Council Grove, Wes Roddy; Sedgwick, none listed. Wow: Council Grove, Logan Kohler; Sedgwick, none listed.
Game 4
Newton 1, Cottonwood Valley 1 12 (Richmond, 2-3, one walk, one run scored; Jeffrey, 2-4, two doubles, two runs scored; Palermo 2-2, double, two runs scored; Riesen, 2-4, one run scored; Jost, 2-2, one walk, two runs scored; Eli Fowler, 2-3, double, score on an error; Zac Fine, 2-2; Justin Heidebrecht, 1-2. Jeffrey pitched four innings, throwing a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts). MVP: Cottonwood Valley 1, Jeffrey; Newton, Eric Selzer. Wow: Cottonwood Valley 1, Fowler; Newton, Scott Isaac.
Game 5
Newton 8, Cottonwood Valley 2 4 (Lang 2-3, walk; Thierolf, 3-4, three runs scored; Isaac Leihy, 2-3, one run scored; Elliott Hett, 2-2, walk; Luke Gordon, 1-2). MVP: Cottonwood Valley 2, Thierolf; Newton, Adrian Unruh. Wow: Cottonwood Valley 2, Leihy; Newton, Brandon Gruver.
Game 6
Moundridge 12, Sedgwick 5. MVP: Sedgwick, Robby McClelland; Moundridge, Michael Stucky. Wow: Sedgwick, Colton Mosiman; Moundridge, Caleb Hartman.
Game 7
Council Grove 2, Cottonwood Valley 1 10 (Palermo 4-4, one home run, three runs scored; Jost, 2-3, two runs scored; Carlson, 2-3, two runs scored; Bryce Suffield, 1-2). MVP: Cottonwood Valley 1, Palermo; Council Grove, Carson Spaulding. Wow: Cottonwood Valley 1, Jost; Council Grove, Cade Johnson. Win put Cottonwood Valley 1 in the championship.
Game 8
Moundridge 13, Newton 6. MVP: Moundridge, Eric Loganbill; Newton, Preston Miller. Wow: Moundridge, Jeff Hett; Newton, Jake Miller.
Game 9
Moundridge 12, Council Grove 2. MVP: Moundridge, Jacob Stucky; Council Grove, Wes Roddy. Wow: Moundridge, Brian Begnoche; Council Grove, Caleb Chaney. Win put Moundridge in the championship game.
Game 10
Moundridge 4, Cottonwood Valley 1 15 (Starkey, 4-4, two doubles, one run scored, five RBI; Richmond, 3-5, two runs; Jeffrey, 2-5, three runs, two doubles, one RBI; Palermo, 3-4, three runs, two RBI, one double, two stolen bases; Fine, 2-4, one run, two doubles; Serene, 2-4, two runs, one RBI; Fowler, 2-4, two runs, one triple). MVP: Cottonwood Valley 1, Starkey; Moundridge, Caleb Hartman. Wow: Cottonwood Valley 1, Fowler; Moundridge, Eric Loganbill. Cottonwood Valley 1 advances to state.
