SEMO Pirates eliminate Charleston AA in Sr. Babe quarterfinals

CHARLESTON, Mo. - The SEMO Pirates moved one step closer to collecting its first state title in program history Friday night at Senior Babe Ruth state baseball tournament at Hillhouse Park in Charleston.

The Pirates calculated one run in the first inning, three runs in the second inning, two runs in the fourth inning and two runs in the sixth inning on its way to an 8-1 victory against the Charleston AA Squirrels in a bracket play quarterfinal Friday night..

Pirates cleanup hitter Dee Triplett collected a 2 RBI double in the bottom of the first inning. Pirates No. 8 hitter Tyler Essner had a 2 RBI single in the bottom of the second inning and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Pirates No. 9 hitter Landon Vaughan bunted a run home from third base in the bottom of the second inning.

Pirates leadoff hitter Peyton Faulkner was hit by pitch with the bases loaded and in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Pirates No. 7 hitter Nate Finney scored on a wild pitch and Pirates No. 3 hitter Riley Hickerson drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Pirates No. 6 hitter Austin Bucher finished 2 for 3 with a pair of singles.

Charleston AA No. 5 hitter Will Biggs finished 2 for 3 with a double and a single. Charleston AA No. 10 hitter Luke Marcum finished 2 for 3 with a pair of singles.

Tyler Slinkard, a Jackson talent, pitched the first 3 1/3 innings for the SEMO Pirates. He allowed one run, four hits, struck out one, walked three and hit one.

Tyler Essner pitched the rest of the way for the SEMO Pirates. He allowed no runs, three hits, struck out two and walked one.

Kasten Campbell pitched the first 5 1/3 innings for Charleston AA. He allowed eight runs, five hits, struck out one and walked four.

Ajay Sayer relieved Campbell and recorded the final two outs for Charleston AA.

The SEMO Pirates play the Missouri Rage, who took down the Chaffee Honey Badgers 5-2 the game before, in a semifinal Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The championship follows at 7:30 p.m.