Stats pack for Legion state champs

Kendall Shaw

Here are the McPherson linescores for the seven-game Class A American Legion State Baseball Tournament that Post 24 captured on Sunday in Leavenworth with a 10-3 rout of Andover.

Listed are at-bats, runs, hits and RBIs

• Cody Starkel — 24-9-10-4

• Caleb Schmidt — 16-11-8-3

• Marcus McDaniel — 21-9-13-7

• Brodie Burney — 24-4-11-10

• Jacob Loecker — 21-4-12-7

• Casen Hoover — 17-2-12-3

• Micah McCulley — 16-5-4-2

• Kolby Reed, 20-5-6-1

• Jack Reifschneider, 16-4-3-4

• Ryan Eilts, 0-2-0-0

• Trenton Olson, 2-0-0-0

Pitching

• Micah McCulley, 3-0

• Jack Reifschneider, 1-0

• Caleb Schmidt, 1-0

• Cody Starkel, 1-0

• Marcus McDaniel, 0-1

Sign up now for MRC coed softball

The McPherson Recreation Commission is taking registration for fall coed softball (ages 15 and up).

The registration deadline is 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8. The fee is $250 per team plus $8 for each non-USD 418 resident.

These games will be played on Tuesday nights, starting Aug. 26, with all games at Wall Park.

To register, bring a completed roster with payment to the MRC office, 220 N. Walnut. Roster forms and league rules can be downloaded at www.mcphersonrecreationcommission.org. ;

 Call 241-0363 for additional information.

See more than 40 photos from Sunday's American Legion state title game in the sports gallery

Kendall Shaw

If you want to feel like you were actually at the state championship game of the Class A American Legion State Baseball Tournament on Sunday in Leavenworth when McPherson defeated Andover 10-3 for the championship, check out Kendall Shaw’s amazing photo gallery that depicted the entire day.

Kendall has more than 40 photos from the game in the sports gallery. Go to the sports gallery link, then click on the American Legion, U-17 and State Championship links.

Photos are available for purchase by contacting Kendall at 242-7232. His website is www.outdoorkansas.zenfolio.com.

STATE CHAMPS! Post 24 captures Class A crown

Kendall Shaw

LEAVENWORTH — Apparently the McPherson U-17 baseball team is comprised of marathoners, not sprinters.

After losing its first game of the Class A American Legion State Baseball Tournament on Wednesday, Post 24 culminated a comeback for the ages by roaring all the way back to win the state championship this afternoon, 10-3 over Andover.

McPherson became the first team in the 33 years of the tournament to win six straight games and the championship after losing in the first round.

Post 24 had defeated Andover 6-4 on Saturday to force an extra game of the double-elimination event, then methodically dissected the team from the Wichita suburbs for an even-more-impressive decision in the game for the gold.

Micah McCulley reached his tournament innings limit by going 3 1/3, allowing all three runs. Jack Reifschneider came on and as he did in all three of his tournament appearances, he was steely.

McPherson took some of the suspense out of the game early, jumping out to a 5-1 lead after two innings. From there, Post 24 continued to apply the pressure with its consistent hitting, and expert bunting and baserunning.

McPherson laced Andover's pitching for 15 hits, including three by Marcus McDaniel, and two each by Cody Starkel, Caleb Schmidt, Jacob Loecker, Casen Hoover and Kolby Reed. Schmidt, McDaniel and Reifschneider all drove in two runs.

McPherson, which improved to 28-7 with its 23rd win in its last 25 games, is now eligible to compete in the Mid-States Regional Tournament next week right back here in Leavenworth. Since the team represents Kansas, it has the option of adding players from other towns if it doesn’t have enough players available.

Box 

Mac (10) — Starkel 5-2-2-0, Schmidt 4-0-2-2, McDaniel 4-0-03-2, Olson 1-0-1-0, Burney 4-0-0-0, Loecker 4-2-2-0, Hoover 3-0-2-0, McCulley 1-3-0-0, Reed 4-2-2-0, Reifschneider 3-1-1-2.

McCulley to get the start in state title game today

Kendall Shaw

LEAVENWORTH — McPherson American Legion baseball coach Tony Schmidt has entrusted Micah McCulley with the ball in today’s winner-take-all championship game of the Kansas American Legion State Tournament.

McPherson and Andover are meeting for a second straight game and third overall in the tournament at 12:30 p.m.

The teams played the very first game of the five-day event on Wednesday, with Andover rallying for an 8-3 victory after McPherson had protected a 3-1 lead through five innings. Post 24 returned the favor Saturday afternoon with a 6-4 decision to force the second championship game of the double-elimination tournament.

Post 24, 27-7 with 22 wins in its last 24 games, has ripped off five straight triumphs to put itself in position to win the state title.

“These kids have showed a lot of character. They knew they could do it,” Schmidt said. “I’ve been really proud of them.”

McCulley started the second game of the tournament on Thursday against Dodge City, but was pulled after just two innings because McPherson mounted a huge lead and Schmidt wanted to save some of his innings. He then worked 5 1/3 innings on Friday in the 4-2 victory over Salina.

Schmidt has masterfully handled his pitching staff. He should have ample arms available in what amounts to pitching by committee for both teams. McPherson is playing its seventh game of the tournament and Andover its fifth.

Post 24 has relied on “small ball.” In the 14-8 win over Doniphan County on Saturday, all 13 hits were singles. Marcus McDaniel, Brodie Burney and Jacob Loecker were all immense, combining for 10 hits and 10 RBIs. Nine of the 11 hits against Andover were singles, with Kolby Reed legging out a triple and Cody Starkel stroking a double.

Schmidt said the key is for McPherson to play its style. Since the team doesn’t have the big mashers in the lineup, bunting and putting pressure on opposing defenses has been essential.

“Everybody has been doing their job. That’s what we’re going to need (in the championship game),” Schmidt said.

Saturday’s Boxes

Vs. Doniphan County

Mac (14) — Starkel 3-3-0-0, Schmidt 1-4-0-0, McDaniel 4-4-4-2, Burney 4-1-3-4, Loecker 4-0-3-4, Hoover 4-0-2-0, McCulley 3-0-1-1, Reed 3-1-0-0, Reifschneider 2-1-0-0, Olson 1-0-0-0.

Vs. Andover 

Mac (6) — Starkel 4-0-2-1, Schmidt 2-1-1-0, McDaniel 3-2-2-0, Burney 2-0-1-1, Loecker 1-1-1-0, Hoover 3-0-2-2, McCulley 3-0-1-1, Reed 3-1-1-0, Reifschneider 3-0-0-0.

Two separate Legion baseball photo galleries posted

Kendall Shaw

Every picture tells a story and for midkansasonline.comcontributing photographer Kendall Shaw, he provided a perfect narrative for McPherson’s American Legion baseball team’s two state tournament games on Saturday in Leavenworth.

Post 24 won both games to advance to today’s state title game against Andover.

Two separate photo galleries have been posted. For the Doniphan County game, go to the sports gallery link, and then click on the American Legion, U-17 and Doniphan County links. For the Andover game, go to the sports gallery link, and then click on the American Legion, U-17 and Andover 2 links.

Kendall’s photos are available for purchase. His website is www.outdoorkansas.zenfolio.com ; and he can be reached at 620-242-7232.

Post 24 wins; Sunday's winner takes state title

Kendall Shaw

LEAVENWORTH — It’s now winner-take-all.

McPherson’s Under-17s completed their improbable run through the loser’s bracket this afternoon in stifling heat, defeating previously undefeated Andover 6-4 to force a second championship game in the Class A American Legion State Baseball Tournament.

Caleb Schmidt unfurled 6 2/3 stellar innings before turning it over to Jack Reifschneider, who once again pitched like a veteran despite his young years.

It was McPherson’s fifth-straight victory after opening the tournament with a loss to this same Andover team.

Post 24 and Andover play at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, with the winner carting home the state championship.

More details to come.

Post 24 advances to state title game

Kendall Shaw

LEAVENWORTH — McPherson’s Under-17s continued their climb up the mountain today.

Post 24 outscored Doniphan County 14-8 this afternoon to advance to the championship game of the American Legion Class A State Tournament. That was the fourth straight victory in the loser’s bracket. McPherson was given a 45-minute break before the title game.

It’s a rematch of the opening game of the tournament at 3:15, as Andover defeated McPherson 8-3, though Post 24 carried a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Should McPherson triumph, another game would be played since Andover has yet to lose in the double-elimination event.

Cody Starkel picked up the win, with Marcus McDaniel working in relief. McDaniel reached his limit on appearances.

The small-ball offense was consistent, as there was hitting throughout the lineup.

It’s worked out well for Post 24 as Caleb Schmidt — who has only been used two innings despite being the team’s No. 1 or 2 pitcher most of the year, will be handed the ball against Andover. If another game is played Sunday, it probably will be pitching by committee.

Larson playing in Shrine Bowl tonight

Kendall Shaw

PITTSBURG — McPherson High graduate Garrett Larson will be on the field tonight for the 41st annual Kansas Shrine Bowl Football Game at Pittsburg State University.

Larson was an All-State lineman for the Bullpups this past season and will be a member of the West team. He has signed to play at Pittsburg State.

Hesston’s Ryan Schadler, coming off a 2,438-yard, 42-touchdown season, will be among Larson’s teammates. He will not be playing football in college, having signed with Wichita State for track and field as he won two gold medals at Cessna Stadium in May.

The 7:05 p.m. contest will be televised locally on Cox Cable Channel 22, with McPherson High graduate Mark Ewing the lead announcer.

Late-game Legion baseball photos now posted

Kendall Shaw

Check out Kendall Shaw's terrific photo gallery from the McPherson American Legion baseball team’s 4-2 state tournament win over Salina late Friday night. Go to the sports gallery link, then click on the American Legion, U-17 and Salina Eagles links. Photos are available by purchase by contacting Kendall at 242-7232. His website is www.outdoorkansas.zenfolio.com.