Blair Little League's state tournament opportunity in Kearney started with one win and one loss during Minors division play.
The All-Stars opened with an extra-innings victory against Gretna on Friday before a no-hit loss to South Sioux City on Saturday. Blair won 11-10 and lost 6-0, respectively.
With the 1-1 start, coach Bubba Ratfield's team moved into a Sunday elimination game against Kearney Little League — the state tourney host. The result of that matchup will appear in Friday's Washington County Enterprise ahead of the final weekend of state competition.
Against Gretna, Blair scored two runs during the top half of the eighth inning to win. Greyson Reinders scored on wild pitches, while JP Pakiz notched a two-out double and later scored on the opposing catcher's return throw to the pitcher.
Though Gretna scored a run during the bottom half of the final inning, it didn't get two to extend the game. All-Stars pitcher Blayton Anderson fielded the final out, throwing it to Calan Herber to end the game in Blair's favor, according to team statistician John Pakiz.
“This was the best, closest Little League game I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen a lot of them,” he said.
JP Pakiz and Herber led the All-Stars with two hits apiece, while Tucker Beckenhauer and Owen Swaney each tallied one. Pakiz scored three times, while Derrick Parker crossed home plate twice.
Both Anderson and Finn Johnson notched four strikeouts across four innings on the pitcher's mound.
The next day, though, it was South Sioux City ace Mac Van Wyk who starred on the hill. He no-hit Blair, which defeated the Cardinals during Northern Area Tournament play on Wederquist Field, striking out 17 of the 19 batters he faced during the Saturday afternoon state tilt.
Parker thwarted Van Wyk's perfect game, though, claiming a walk during the All-Star's 6-0 loss.
Defensively, Herber took the pitching loss despite a seven-strikeout performance throwing to catcher Triston Dein. Andrew Greenwood and Parker struck out a Cardinal apiece during the relief work, too.
Blair Little League's Minor All-Stars are coached by Ratfield, Nick Swaney, Jake Raymond and Seth Raymond. The roster includes those mentioned in addition to Bradyn Swistak and Aiden Flynn.
