The Salem Bobcats improved to 14-0 as they beat Wesclin on the road to open the Class L State Tournament 11-1 in six innings. The Bobcats jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first inning and plated five more runs in the bottom of the 6th to walk-off with the short-game win after Colton Starnes singled home Keaton Gullion. Noah Nix was the winning pitcher going 4 innings. Nix struck out the first 10 hitters he faced, gave up 1 hit who he immediately picked off and didn’t walk anyone. Colton Shelton worked the final 2 innings for the save. Jalen Inlow tripled and drove in a run while scoring 3 times. Nix went 2-4 with a double and drove in 3 with RBI also from Cooper Lobek, Aden Bass, Starnes and Lyric Black. Rhett Detering came up big with 2 hits and 2 big RBI as well.
Salem advances to take on Marion in Saturday’s semifinal after Marion knocked off Johnston City 7-1. Salem played Marion in their final regular season game that was won by the Bobcats 9-1 in extra innings. The other semifinal at 1pm on Saturday will feature Benton after their 7-5 win over DuQuoin taking on Highland who beat Millstadt 5-2.
In Class M baseball quarterfinals, Hardin Calhoun beat Goreville 11-9, Christopher over Pinckneyville 9-4, Albion beat Rome 13-0 and St Boniface, Edwardsville over Aviston 11-1.
In Class S, Our Lady of Mt Carmel beat Cypress 15-1, Cisne over Altamont Lutheran 6-5, Waltonville was 9-1 winners over TSJ Nashville with St Joseph Catholic beating Valmeyer 6-2.
