Players have high hopes for repeating as state champions

By BEN KLEINE

Staff writer

The Marion Babe Ruth team punched their ticket to the state tournament Friday with an 18-6 win over the Newton Lumberjacks in Marion.

The team is heading to Altamont July 23 and will face either Parsons or Coffeyville.

This Marion team won the state tournament last year. The group has gone to the tournament five times, as the players have ascended age levels. This will be the first year they’ve competed at state in back-to-back years.

Outfielder Zac Robson said the team had a good chance of repeating as champions but were trying not to be too cocky.

“We can’t just say we’re just going to go ahead and win it,” he said.

The team had only one close contest in the district tournament.

Jacob Baldwin and Austin Pedersen drove in two runs each with hits in the first and second innings respectively against Newton. Jacob Harper and Robson had RBI singles in the second and third innings to help Marion build an 11-2.

Marion defeated the Mid-Kansas All-Stars, 6-4, in their first game July 14. Dylan Seacat pitched four strong innings to close out the game.

Marion defeated the Mid-Central All-Stars, 10-2, Thursday. Grif Case got the win.