The Salem 10u Wildcats competed at the Little League Section tournament in Brown County over the weekend. The top 2 teams in the 3-team field advanced to next week’s State Tournament held in Ogelsby. Salem opened up the tournament with an 8-2 loss to Champaign East on Saturday. For Salem, Benny Bryan went 2-2 with 2 runs, Colten Tockstein and Kai Graham also drove in runs. Rhett Starnes had a hit double along with Zane Applegate. On the mound, Applegate allowed 6 runs, but only 1 earned in 2 innings of work and 3 hits given up. Tockstein worked the final 3 innings allowing 2 hits and 1 earned run with 5 strikeouts.
Salem then took on Macomb on Sunday for the final advancing spot. Salem trailed 3-0 after the first 2 innings, but came back and scored 7 runs over the next 3 innings to earn the win 7-5. Graham and Applegate each drove in 2 runs for the Cats who also got RBI from Owen Tennyson, Tockestein and Tanner Purintun. Bryan worked 5.1 innings allowing 5 runs, 4 earned, on 5 hits with Drew Consolino getting the final 2 outs.
Salem advances to Ogelsby to the State Tournament July 31-August 6 to compete in the double elimination tournament. Also they will be trying to raise money to help offset some of the expenses and need the communities help. Your business or individual can donate through the little league and it can be tax deductible. Contact coaches Joby Bryan or Chris Graham to let them know you can help out.
