Tyler Lutt scattered five hits over six innings to help the Wayne Juniors open the Class B, Area 5 tournament Saturday with a 4-0 win over Ponca at Hank Overin Field.
Wayne pounded out 10 hits as the top seed advanced to Sunday's 5:30 p.m. game against O'Neill and improved to 27-3 on the season.
Wayne got all they would need in the second inning when Adam Bentjen singled, stole second and came home on Tucker Nichols' single. They added two more in the fourth on Beau Bowers' two-run single to left, scoring Nichols and Mason Lee, then added another in the fifth when Bentjen singled and came home on a Ponca error.
Lutt got in trouble just once in the third inning, but was bailed out after a throwing error as they were able to catch a Ponca runner between third and home. The rundown ended the inning, and Ponca had just three baserunners after that.
Lutt pitched six innings, allowing five h its and two walks while striking out four. Payten Gamble worked a spotless seventh, striking out the side. Bentjen had two hits and scored two runs to lead Wayne's offensive effort. Nichols had three hits, including a double, and Brennan O'Reilly had two hits.
The Class B, Area 5 schedule is as follows:
Friday's Results
Ponca 8, Pierce 4
O'Neill 5, Columbus Lakeview 2
Saturday's Results
Lakeview 12, Pierce 2 (Pierce eliminated)
Wayne 4, Ponca 0
Sunday's Games
Lakeview vs. Ponca, 3 p.m.
Wayne vs. O'Neill, 5:30 p.m.
Monday's Game
Lakeview/Ponca winner vs. Wayne/O'Neill loser, 7 p.m.
Tuesday's Game
Championship game, 5 p.m. (Second game 30 minutes after if needed)
