Hot bats propel defending champs past Seward

Hickman blasted its way to the top of the heap Monday night in the American Legion Class B Junior State Tournament, with a 12-3 drubbing of Seward.

Both teams entered the game without a tournament loss, and the it showed the promise of being yet another tight tournament contest, with the score tied 3-3 after three innings of play.

For the second night in a row, lightning halted play, with Hickman being one of the teams involved. Players sat for an hour and a half, while lighting lit up the skies and light rain pattered the field.

It appeared Hickman may have powered its bats with the heavenly...