It was almost certain that the Frontenac 9-10 All-Star baseball team was going to go next week’s Little League State tournament in Baxter Springs.
After Friday, they not only move on, but they are also the top seed out of the North after a 23-1 win over Arma in the North Division tournament at the Frontenac Sports Complex.
However, Frontenac still does not know who they will play as the South Division tournament does not wrap up until tonight.
“I think we’ll be all right,” said Frontenac coach Jim Long. “Getting these games under our belt will do well for our nerves.”
Against Arma, Frontenac put up 23 runs on just eight hits — including a 12-run second inning that broke the game open.
Defensively, Ryan Long held Arma hitless and struck out eight batters over four innings, using just 73 pitches.
“We played good defense,” Jim Long said. “They [Arma] put the ball in play and the guys did very well.”
Frontenac will play the No. 2 seed out of the South Division at 6 p.m. Monday at Baxter Springs in the first game of the Little League State Tournament.
Arma 12-2
The Arma 11-12 All-Star team will make a return trip to the state tournament after knocking off Frontenac 12-2 Friday night in the North Division tournament.
“It feels great,” said Arma coach Curt Courtney. “I asked the boys whether they wanted to keep playing and they obviously answered it tonight.”
Jacob Bryant hit the game-ending hit with a double in the bottom of the fifth to send Arma to the state tournament next week in Baxter Springs.
“They all put the ball in play tonight,” Courtney said.
Arma will play the winner of the Cherokee-Riverton game, which is at 8 p.m. tonight in Riverton.
Girard will be the top seed out of the North after finishing 2-0 in North tournament.
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140. Follow Morning Sun sports at twitter.com/mssports.
Little League North Division tournament
9-10
at Frontenac Sports Complex
Frontenac 23, Arma 1
Arma 001 0 — 1 0
Frontenac 5(12)6 X — 23 8
Ryan Long and Brandon Mlekus. Gabe Balk, Troy Howard (3), Colton Trejo (3), Jacob McDowell (3) and McDowell, Trejo (2). WP — Long. LP — Balk.
11-12
Arma 12, Frontenac 2, 5 inn.
Frontenac 010 01 — 2
Arma 034 32 — 12
Dennis Hensley, Seth Chandler (5) and Austin Baker. Brandon Walker, Tyler Hensley (4). WP — D. Hensley. LP — Walker.
