WILLISTON, N.D. -- The Charleston Fighting Squirrels Senior Babe Ruth has fought back through the loser's bracket at the Midwest Plains Regional Tournament in Williston, N.D., with a chance to win the championship.
After losing its first game in the tournament, Charleston has won five straight games, including Sunday's game against Heartland East, 15-8, to force today's "if necessary" game 1 p.m.
Charleston scored six runs in the fourth inning and four runs in the seventh inning to keep Heartland East at bay.
Paul Bucher and Taylor White each had three hits to lead the Squirrels. Paul Johnson and Chase McClendon each had two hits. Colin Gilooly scored four runs. White had three RBIs to lead the Squirrels.
Zach Secoy was the winning pitcher. Dallas Tew threw three innings of relief, allowing one run.
To reach Sunday's game, Charleston defeated Bismarck 6-5. Charleston jumped out to a 6-0 lead and withstood a Bismarck rally in the sixth inning.
Johnson, Gilooly and White each collected two hits for the Squirrels. White had two RBIs. Johnson, Gilooly and Bucher each scored two runs.
Tyler McCann was the winning pitcher, throwing 5 2/3 innings of relief, striking out five.
On Saturday, Charleston won two games, including a dramatic 4-3 win against Lamar, Colo., when the Squirrels scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Tyler Branum was the winning pitcher in relief of that game, throwing 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball.
Johnson and Gilooly each had two hits for Charleston. Branum also had a two-run single.
Later on Saturday, Charleston defeated the host team, Williston, 9-1.
Johnson, Gilooly, Bucher, McClendon and Brink Naile each had two hits to lead Charleston. Bucher, White and McClendon each had two RBIs.
Jamie Barber was the winning pitcher, throwing all seven innings and allowing just one runs off five hits with six strikeouts.