Cherokee wins state title

It was a tough battle, but the Cherokee 11-12 All-Star baseball team made the most of it.
Cherokee had to battle a familiar foe on Saturday night in the Little League State Championship at Baxter Springs and found it to be a somewhat daunting task.
Riverton had beaten Cherokee twice before — once in the South Regional tournament last week and once more in the State tournament.
But, Caleb Spangler drilled a walk-off grand slam as Cherokee won the state title, 11-9 Saturday.
It was not easy.
Holding a 7-6 lead going into the sixth, and final inning, Riverton’s Landon North hit a three-run home run off of Spangler in the top of the sixth to give Riverton a 9-7 lead.
Spangler got his revenge in the bottom half of the inning with a walk-off grand slam off of Riverton pitcher TJ McDonald.
“The first game we played them it was all Riverton and when we played them last night we had three home runs,” said Cherokee head coach Bryan Burdette. “This game is was both teams and we both got the hits.”
When Riverton defeated Cherokee 12-5 in the South Regional tournament a week ago. It that game Spangler gave up four home runs in the loss.
“For him to come back and close out the last two games was remarkable,” Burdette said.
On Friday, Cherokee defeated Riverton 10-2 to force the second game on Saturday.
“I really felt like we had some momentum,” Burdette said. “We lost that game early and I think that was the best thing for us because we really buckled down.
“We started hitting the ball better and becoming less selfish.”
That unselfish play was a key factor for Cherokee.
“Our motto for tonight was together and that is what happened,” Burdette said. “Most of the kids got the bat on the ball and they did what they were asked to do and did a good job.”
Now, Cherokee will prepare for the Little League Midwest Regional tournament which begins on Aug. 1 at Indianapolis, Ind.
“All the kids played well and with all their hearts,” Burdette said. “I think that we are ready.”
The team will focus on practice and fundraising for the upcoming trip. Anyone interested in donating can contact Burdette at 249-9197.

Little League baseball
State tournament
at Baxter Springs
Championship
Cherokee 11, Riverton 9
Riverton    220 023 —   9   5  1
Cherokee    410 204 — 11 10 3
Cherokee: Jace Burdette, Dustin Saporito (3), Caleb Spangler (5) and Caleb Spangler, Bryce Burdette (3). Riverton: Hunter Bankson, Andy McDonald (2), TJ McDonald (5) and Hunter Deckard. WP — Spangler. LP — TJ McDonald. 2B — Cherokee: Caleb Spangler. HR — Cherokee: Caleb Spangler. Riverton: Landon North.