SIKESTON -- First Midwest Bank took third place in the Rookie League this year, finishing with a record of 10-4.
The squad then went on to win the year-end tournament, ending the season on a high note.
"We had a pretty good season," said First Midwest coach Charlie Driskill. "At the end of the season, the kids that weren't hitting at the beginning started to come around. That's what it takes to win (the tournament). It was a team effort."
Clayton Driskill played first base for First Midwest. Connor Landers was on second, Trent McMillan was at short, Blake Hoskins and Aleah Little both played third.
Bradley Burks was on the pitcher's mound and Joshua Glaus was behind the plate.
The outfield consisted of Levi Henson, Cory Evans, Garrett Self, Ryan Norton, Kayla Fodge and Devon Martin.
"Aleah Little struggled a little at the beginning, but she was going strong by the end of the season," said Driskill. "Cory Evans started slow hitting, but he turned into one of the better hitters in the league."
Driskill and McMillan were both named first team all-stars. Landers made the second team.
"You always base your season on what the kids look like at the end versus what they look like in the beginning," said Driskill. "Everybody showed improvement, and everybody seemed to have fun. That's the main thing."
Members of the 2002 First Midwest Bank team in the Rookie League of Sikeston Area Youth League Baseball are Clayton Driskill, Trent McMillan, Connor Landers, Joshua Glaus, Levi Henson, Cory Evans, Blake Hoskins, Bradley Burks, Garrett Self, Ryan Norton, Kayla Fodge, Aleah Little and Devon Martin. The team was coached by Charlie Driskill and Mike McMillan.