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 light show, for after the break their bats cracked not unlike the thunder which stopped play.

Hickman strung together a five-run, five-hit perfrmance to finish the bottom of the fifth with an 8-3 lead.

This tournament, like others before it, has shown a big lead isn't always final, but Hickman held Seward scoreless over the remainder of the game, showing why it comes into play as two-time defending state champions.

While holding Seward scoreless, Hickman had one more big inning, the bottom of the sixth, to slam the door shut.

Earlier in the day, McCook and Mt. Michael started out with bats ringing as well, each scoring five runs in the first inning of the 3 p.m. game.

But McCook added two runs in the second and four more in the fifth inning while its defense halted Mt. Michael on the way to a 12-7 win.

In the first game of the day, Waverly nipped Alliance 7-6 to eliminate the Panhandle district champions.

Four teams remained in play following Monday play.

Scheduled to play last night were Seward and Waverly, while Hickman and McCook were set to match up their explosive offenses.

Winners of those games are scheduled to play for tonight at 4 p.m. for the tournament title. Hickman was the only undefeated team remaining as of Tuesday's deadline. The tournament is double-elimination play and could possibly require extra play if needed.