CHEYENNE – A seven-run first inning set the tone for the Cheyenne Sixers during a 12-4 victory over Laramie in the Wyoming American Legion Baseball Division I state tournament Saturday night in Gillette.
The Sixers held a 7-2 lead after the first inning, and pushed that lead to 9-2 through three frames.
Laramie trimmed the advantage to 9-4 heading into the bottom of the fifth. Cheyenne scratched across two more runs in the second and another in the sixth to end the game early due to the eight-run mercy rule.
The game was delayed after five innings due to lightning in the area.
Cheyenne center fielder Brodin Robbins was 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBI. Kayden Tafoya went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Brayden Kamarad added a hit and drove in two runs.
Sixers starter Kian McDonough struck out six batters and walked one across 4⅔ innings. He gave up seven hits. Julian Tafoya IV fanned three batters in his 1⅓ innings of hitless relief.
Jax McLean had two of Laramie’s seven hits. Jackson Bailey, Will Harris, Quade Gill, Maddox Dorrell and Damian Gomez all notched one hit each. Gill’s hit was a solo home run to left field. Dorrell also had a double.
Laramie (35-30-1) squares off with Powell in an elimination game at 4 p.m. today. Cheyenne (51-15-2) faces Sheridan at 7 p.m. today in the winner’s bracket final.
Powell’s outburst ends Hawks’ season
CHEYENNE – Powell scored seven runs in the fourth inning during a 10-2 victory over the Cheyenne Hawks on Saturday morning at the Wyoming American Legion Baseball Division I state tournament at Hladky Stadium in Gillette.
The Hawks season ended with the loss. They were 36-18 on the season.
Cheyenne grabbed a 2-1 lead in the first inning. Will Shaw sparked the offense with a two-out double to center before Troy Nelson was hit by a pitch. Kellin Wenzel singled to right to score Shaw for a 1-0 lead.
Chase Aragon followed with a single to load the bases before Alex Vines drew a walk for a 2-0 lead.
Wenzel went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Caleb Moore also had a single.