The Salem 12u Wildcats finished 2nd at their own tournament held at the Little League Complex over the weekend, falling to the SC Storm Chasers in the championship 6-5. Salem took an early 1-0 lead in the 2nd while SC scored 3 in the 3rd. Salem trailed 6-2 but added a run in the 4uth and 3 more in the 6th before falling just short with the tying run on base. Evan Barnes went 3-3 with 3 RBI Zane Dodson drove in a run with 2 runs each from Jaret Gibson and Keytin Grawe. Payton Gullion and Max Vincent also had hits. On the mound, Barnes got the start going 3.1innings striking out 5. Avery Gullion came in to finish the final 1.2 innings striking out all 5 outs he got.
In the semifinals Salem beat the SI Naturals 11-7. Avery Gullion was 3-4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored, Landon Maxey drove in 3, Riley Tate drove in a run and Payton Gullion scored 3 times. Vincent scored while Dodson and Rostance added RBI.
Salem dropped their opening game 7-4 to the Storm Chasers but would go on to win their next 3 games including their final pool play game against Washington County. Then on Saturday elimination play, Salem once again beat Washington County 11-7 scoring 7 runs in the 2nd inning with 3 insurance runs late. Gibson, Grawe, Rostance all drove in runs with Vincent driving in 2. Maxey went 2-2 with a run. On the mound, Rostance started going 2 innings striking out 6. Payton Gullion got the save working 3 innings allowing 1 earned run.
