11-run fourth lifts Scott County past Minnesota

Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Kaden Robert of Scott County stomps on home plate after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning against Bemidji, Minnesota on Tuesday. Roberts's home run was part of an 11-run Scott County rally as the rolled to a 15-6 win. (Photo by Brent Shipman, Staff)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Rallying for 11 runs in the fourth inning on Tuesday, the Scott County All Stars were able to overcame an early five-run deficit take down Bemidji, Minnesota 15-6 during pool play at the Cal Ripken 11U Midwest Plains Regional Tournament.

"We're like a semi truck with six gears," Scott County coach Scott Nichols said. "We start real slow, but once we get going we're like a freight train."

Things looked grim early as the All Stars watched Minnesota put up six runs in the bottom of the first to take a 6-1 lead.

Scoring two runs in the second frame and one in the third, however, Scott County was able to creep back to within two runs of Minnesota, going into the top of the fourth down 6-4.

After the All Stars opened the fourth with three straight hits, Kaden Robert closed Scott County to within a run of Minnesota, hitting a ground ball up the third base side to score Seth Niederkorn from third.

Then, with runners on second and third with one out, Joseph Baker hit a towering fly ball just over the center field fence for a three-run home run that put his team on top for good at 8-6.

"That's the way he hits the ball," Nichols said of Baker. "He's going to hit it high and with this wind lightly blowing out, if you get it up there it's going to keep going.

"I think that kind of got everybody going."

Later in the inning, Scott County continued to pad their newfound lead as Wyatt LeDure singled in a run before a double to left field by Ben Fox brought home two to make it 11-6.

Two batters later, another run scored on a ball hit my Cole Nichols before Robert capped the rally with a three-run home run over the fence in left center field to make up 15-6 final.

"That one that Kaden hit was shot out of a cannon," Scott Nichols said. "I've seen a couple of home runs this year hit and not many like that one."

Scott County combined for 16 hits on the contest as Nichols, Robert and Alex Burger led the way with three each. Both Ben Fox and Niederkorn finished the game with two hits apiece.

For batting in five runs while being only a triple away from hitting the cycle, Robert was selected as Scott County's player of the game.

Picking up the win for the All Stars, Cole Nichols pitched flawless third and fourth innings in relief before Bobby Wright Jr. came in the fifth and closed out the game allowing only one hit through two innings.

With a 3-1 pool play record, the All Stars locked up the first-seed in the National League side of the tournament. They will play the winner of Emporia, Kansas/ Mineral Area on Thursday at noon.

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