By: Mike Glesinger Panhandle Post
The long drive was worth it for the Wahoo American Legion Junior Baseball Team. Traveling over 350 miles and playing 5 games, in 5 days against some of the top teams in the State, Wahoo showed that they could play good, fundamental baseball....Pitching, Hitting and Fielding, in winning the Nebraska Class B Junior Baseball State Championship with a 6-5 win over a very good Seward team.
Alliance hosted the tournament at Bower/Shankland Field , beginning Saturday, July 15. Lincoln Christian opened with a 1-0 win over Holdrege. Wahoo defeated Central City 10-5. Waverly over Gering 10-5 and Seward defeated Alliance 11-4.
Sunday July 16, Holdrege eliminated Central City 4-3 and Gering knocked out Alliance 4-1. Wahoo defeated Lincoln Christian 16-7 and Seward was a winner over Waverly 2-1 in 8 innings.
Monday July 17, Gering eliminated Lincoln Christian 7-3 and Holdrege elininated Waverly 4-1. In the winners bracket, Wahoo defeated Seward 12-3.
Tuesday July 18, Seward eliminated Gering 6-3 and Wahoo remained unbeaten in knocking out Holdrege 8-0.
That set up the Championship game on Wednesday July 19, with Wahoo needing a win and Seward needing to win twice to take the title. Seward took an early lead with solid hitting. Wahoo battled back to tie the game at 5 in the 5th inning and scratched out a run in the 6th to take a 6-5 lead. Seward got the lead off man on base in the bottom of the 7th and was able to move him to 3rd with 2 outs, before Wahoo got the final out, on a gound out to short to end the game, 6-5 in favor of Wahoo. Both teams played very well through the entire tournament and had excellent fan support from their hometowns.
Thanks to the Peltz Company Alliance Spartans for hosting the event and the Community of Alliance for their support. It's always exciting to host an event like this.