The St. Louis Pirates defeated the Syracuse Sportsman Chiefs in thrilling, come from
behind fashion by a score of 9-7. The Chiefs got 5 runs in the top of the 6th inning
to break the game open. But, in the bottom half of the frame, the Pirates stormed past
with 7 runs of there own to win 9-7.
Josh Scharff earned the win in relief, working a perfect inning, while adding a strike
out. Mike Dauaher took the lose in an inning of work, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits.
The Pirates would get on the board first as Zach Zellers (2009, Rockwood, MO) scored
on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the 1st inning. The Chiefs would answer in the
top of the 2nd as tournament MVP Kody O'Connor (2009, Mexico HS,NY) tripled and scored
the tying run. The Chiefs would take the lead in the top of the 3rd when Jeremy Batlz
(2009, Vestal HS, NY) doubled and went to 3rd on a wild pitch. He would later score on
a sac fly Brian Arust.
There would be no scoring until the top of the 6th inning when the Chiefs broke out
and rallied to score 5 runs. The inning was capped by a 2-RBI double from Bijan
Mangouri (2009, Vestal HS, NY). However, the Pirates put together a 7- run rally in
the bottom of the inning to grab the lead and never look back. The Pirates strung
together 6 hits and 2 walks during the rally. St. Louis took the lead for good when
Cody Higgs (2009, Lindbergh HS, MO) singled in two runs. The Pirates would hold onto
the 9-7 lead and win the 18U BCS Finals.
The Most Valuable Pitcher of the tournament was Jake Powers (2009, Franics Howell HS,
MO). Powers got two wins over the tournament including the semifinal win over the
Florida Bombers. Powers pitched a complete game, gave up just 2 hits, and one run. He
struckout 6 and walked one as the Pirates took another step towards their
championship. O'Conner was the MVP of the tournament for the Chiefs. In the semifinal
game he went 2-for-4 with a single triple, and a run scored. In the finals he went 1-
for-3 with a triple, walk, and two runs scored.