DECATUR -- Visitors from Omaha and Alpena flocked to Edmiston Ballpark in Decatur April 26 and 27 to watch their teams play in the 2018 1A-1 District baseball tournament hosted by the Decatur Bulldogs.
The three-game series got off to a rocky start when the fourth seed Deer Antlers forfeited, sending the one seed Omaha Eagles to the championship round April 27.
In the second sem-final game of the series, third seed Decatur Bulldogs faced second seed Alpena Leopards.
The Bulldogs got down in the count early when the Leopards scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Decatur was able to bring home its first run after Austin Hamilton tried to steal third base. The Alpena third baseman missed the throw, allowing Hamilton to steal home and cutting the Leopards' lead to four.
Alpena scored twice, once in the bottom of the third and once in the fourth inning, increasing its lead by six.
Decatur managed to hold Alpena scoreless during the next two innings on excellent fielding by Zack Luker, Kevin Garcia, Bryson Funk, Paul Ehrhart, Hamilton and catcher Bryan Ward.
The Bulldogs began a rally in the top of the seventh inning, bringing three more runs home before the Leopards caught a fly ball with two outs to end the contest 7-4. Alpena faced Omaha for the district championship.
Kevin Garcia was on the mound for the Bulldogs, pitching 106 times in four complete innings. He struck out one and allowed six walks. He was relieved by Adam Garcia in the fifth inning who threw 22 times and struck out one.
Omaha led the conference to win the regular season championship. The Eagles were expected to take the tournament title, but the Leopards had a different idea. Alpena turned the tide on Omaha, taking the 1A-1 district championship 12-2.
Decatur will compete in the regional tournament in Harrison May 3 for a chance to advance to the state finals May 10-11.
Decatur
31 plate appearances, 23 at-bats, 4 runs, 7 hits, 3 runs batted in, 6 walks, and 2 strikeouts.
Sports on 05/02/2018