TinCaps wrap up season with loss in Regions

Last Wednesday, July 12, the Tea American Legion Baseball team wrapped up their regular season home games with a 4-3 win over Vermillion. The Tea TinCaps built a 4-run lead in the second inning and then held off Post 1’s charge for a 4-3 victory.

The TinCaps got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Sam Werdel drew a walk, scoring one run, and Kellen Sattler grounded out, scoring two runs.

Tea added one run in the second after Ethan Vis singled.

Boston Willemssen earned the win for Tea on the mound. He allowed four hits and one run over four and two-thirds innings, striking out five and walking three. Vis collected the save. Braeden Willson appeared in relief for Tea TinCaps.

Offensively, Vis went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Tea. Gavin Johnson and Mason Schramm each collected multiple hits for the TinCaps. The TinCaps had a strong eye at the plate, collecting seven walks for the game. Werdel and Carter Turek led the team with two free passes each.

On Sunday, July 16 the Titans began Region 3B play in Elk Point. The double elimination tournament continued through Wednesday, July 19.

The Titans began play with a match-up against Elk Point Jefferson. With EPJ getting an early 4-0 lead after the opening inning, Tea fell 9-6.

Johnson grounded out, which helped Tea tie the game at five in the top of the fourth. But in the bottom of the fourth, EPJ broke up the tie when Noah McDermott singled, scoring one run. Then a single by Kayden Moore followed to extend the lead to 8-5.

Eric Munson pitched five and one-third innings in relief for Tea. He gave up nine hits and five runs while, striking out four and walking two. Teagan Dedula stepped on the mound first for Tea. He allowed one hit and four runs over two-thirds of an inning, striking out none and walking six.

Vis led the TinCaps with three hits in four at bats. Johnson, Werdel, and Carter Turek each drove in one run. Werdel stole two bases.

Tea had another chance to advance in the double-elimination tournament, facing off against Vermillion Post 1 on Monday, July 17. With five runs in the bottom of the fifth, Vermillion jumped to a lead Tea was unable to bounce back from, falling 6-2 and ending their season.

Willemssen opened the game for Tea. He allowed five hits and six runs (three earned) over four and one-third innings, striking out one and walking three. Vis went 1-for-4 at the plate as the left-handed hitter led the team with two runs batted in. Nate Christensen stole two bases.