The Wayne Post 43 American Legion Juniors’ hopes for a second straight state title came to an end Tuesday, as a late comeback came up short in an 8-4 loss to Omaha Roncalli Tuesday in the Class B, Area 3 tournament in Valley.
The Juniors got down early and never could get anything going until late. Roncalli put up two runs in the first inning and chased starter Blake Bartos during a five-run third inning that put Roncalli in control.
Trailing 8-0 and one out away from ending the season with a run-rule loss, the Juniors got on the board in the fifth when Jacob Kneifl singled home Max Miller, who reached on a leadoff walk.
Wayne tried to rally in their final at bat. Toby Braun was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Tyrus Eischeid followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position.
A single by Bartos scored Braun and Eischeid followed on a mishandled pop fly to make it 8-3. After a Reid Korth single, Gunnar Jorgensen grounded into a fielder’s choice to plate Bartos. Roncalli was able to right the ship and get the final two outs to bring Wayne’s season to an end with a 24-6 record.
Bartos had two of Wayne’s five hits in the game, with Eischeid, Kneifl and Reid Korth adding hits. Korth pitched the final five innings in relief of Korth, striking out six.
