Washburn eliminated by mental mistakes
By Robyn Rohde, BHG News Service
The hitting power of Washburn American Legion bats has been the backbone of their Section 8 push to the top this season. As the final breakdown to see who would call themselves the top of the eight team collection came to a head last week for the Section 8 Tournament. Post 12 won’t be advancing to state but left a mark as a contender that won’t soon be forgotten. In their last regular season action Post 12 crushed Hazen during a rescheduled doubleheader Sunday. So as the two were paired up for the first round of the tournament Wednesday, the Astros were hunting for a little payback and it showed as they started with a run in the top of the first inning. But Washburn quickly blazed a path of four runs in the bottom of the inning as they never regaled the lead. Post 12 kept the pressure on with another run in the second inning as well as twins in the third and fourth to charge ahead 9-2. Cody Durkee led the way for the offense going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Cole Bender also had an RBI with Jeff Rassmussen going 1-for-2 with an RBI triple. "The boys knew what they were going to do and when they were going to do it," Washburn coach Kip Erickson said as his team claimed the fifth win over Hazen this season. "We knew we were going to hit the ball against anybody." Despite their eight hits of the first four innings, Hazen brought in their third score of the day on a forced walk. Kerby Duewel then gave up the infield sacrifice hit to score Tanner Borlaug to make the score 9-4. Hazen took out the runner in scoring position in the bottom of the fifth inning, but Washburn was able to plate one later before Dustin Snyder closed the Post 12 score opportunities with a left field grab.
