Throughout a busy weekend, the Seniors faced off against teams from across the country in the Elkhorn Mount Michael Tournament.
The Pioneers tallied two wins in four games from Friday to Sunday.
Friday started with a thriller against Watertown (Minn.). The Pioneers dropped a back and forth 11-10 decision. Fort Calhoun trailed 11-7 heading into the final frame but three runs in the bottom of the sixth weren’t enough to come away with the win.
Justin Myer started the action with a two-run homer in the first inning. Hallberg added three RBIs in the loss.
Saturday’s first contest against Storm Baseball out of Atlanta wasn’t as exciting but saw the Pioneers earn a decisive 8-0 win in five innings. Levi Lasher pitched all five innings, surrendering just four hits and two walks.
Fort Calhoun notched four runs in the third and added three runs in the final two innings to put the game away.
Kenny Wellwood went 2-3 with 3 RBIs and Genoways also recorded a multi-hit game, adding a double and an RBI.
The second game Saturday against Helena (Montana) saw the Pioneers lose 11-3. Hallberg collected two triples.
The contest was tied 2-2 heading into the fourth inning. In the final two innings, Helena totaled 9 runs.
The weekend closed out with 12-11 win against the Millard Sox on Sunday evening in what Wynn called “a pretty wild game.”
“Lots of hitting and errors,” he said.
Alex Christensen had a memorable game, entering the game as pitcher in the top of the seventh inning then driving in the winning run on a single into the gap in the bottom of the final frame.
Along with Christensen’s heroics was a 3 RBI effort by Harrison Schmitt, who went 2-2 from the plate.
Wynn said a tournament full of teams from across the country was a fun challenge but one he implored his players not to let affect their approach.
“Really, we just focus on controlling what we can control,” he said. “It’s fun to play against them but we can’t let the excitement of playing a team traveling from out of state take us out of our game plan at the plate or on the mound.
“Keep baseball simple and make the routine plays. As long as we are focusing on what we’re doing and limiting mistakes, we can control the game. The boys did a pretty good job with that this weekend.”
After the split weekend, Fort Calhoun now sits at 4-9 on the year.
Pioneers lose, 2-1
Fort Calhoun's 2-1 June 22 loss at Valparaiso came down to a play at the plate. Coach Brandon Wynn said the Senior Legion Pioneers got caught by “two or three steps.”
Base runner Ty Hallberg couldn't quite get home for the game-tying run on Sam Genoways' hit.
“Ground ball up the middle with Ty on the run from second (base),” Wynn said. “Can't ask for a better situation to be in. They just made a better play.”
Valparaiso scored a run during apiece during the second and fifth innings, while Post 348 notched its lone run in the fourth. The Pioneers' Chase Premer earned a walk with Zach Faucher, Sam Halford and Avery Quinlan already on base. The free base evened the score at 1-all before the home squad scored the go-ahead.
