One of the keys to the success of an undefeated team is finding ways to win in the clutch.
The Wayne American Legion Post 43 Juniors have been able to do that on several occasions this summer, and none were bigger than Tuesday when they broke a 1-1 tie with a dramatic three-run outburst in the bottom of the sixth to hold off a pesky Albion team and claim a 4-1 win at Hank Overin Field to earn the Class B, Area 5 title and a trip to state.
The Juniors had little trouble reaching the championship round of the six-team, double-elimination tournament, defeating Tekamah-Herman (6-0), Pierce (6-2) and Albion (5-1), but found the going tough Tuesday night as Albion played outstanding defense and forged a 1-1 tie in the second inning that lasted until the sixth when Wayne was able to break the deadlock.
The Juniors got on the board first in the opening frame when Gavin Redden beat out an infield single, moved to third on a pickoff error and scored on a suicide squeeze bunt by Devin Anderson, who beat out the throw as Redden crossed the plate to make it 1-0.
Albion would answer in the second on a two-out single by Luke Curry, scoring Trent Patzel, who reached on a leadoff double, but the game turned into a pitchers’ duel as both Redden and Patzel kept opposing hitters guessing and got solid defensive play behind them to keep the score tied.
That all changed in the bottom of the sixth when Wayne erupted for three runs to break the tie.
With one out in the inning, Anderson stepped up with the biggest hit of the game, launching the first pitch from Patzel in the gap in left center for a triple, sliding into third just ahead of the throw to jump-start the Wayne dugout.
Aiden Liston followed with a squeeze bunt that scored Anderson, with Liston advancing to second after the throw got away. Albion’s defense struggled after that, as a Kaleb Moormeier single and two wild pitches brought home the insurance runs to give Wayne the three-run lead.
That was enough for Wayne starter Gavin Redden, who coaxed a pair of easy groundouts and allowed a two-out single to Curry before fanning Austin Wiese to end the game and improve Wayne’s unblemished record to 24-0 on the season.
Wayne outhit Albion 7-6, with Anderson adding a single to his momentum-swinging triple. Redden, Kaden Keller, Liston, Moormeier and Jase Dean also had hits.
Redden, who also pitched well in Saturday’s win over Pierce, pitched an effective complete-game win, fanning six while allowing six hits and one walk.
Wayne will open state tournament play Saturday at Sam Crawford Field in Wahoo against Plattsmouth in a 10 a.m. matchup. The double-elimination tournament continues through Wednesday.
Class B American Legion Juniors
State Tournament at Wahoo
Saturday’s Games
Game 1 — 10 a.m.: Wayne vs. Plattsmouth
Game 2 — 1 p.m.: Sutton vs. Alliance
Game 3 — 4 p.m.: Lincoln Christian vs. Hickman
Game 4 — 7 p.m.: Wahoo vs. Broken Bow
Sunday’s Games
Game 5 — 10 a.m.: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Game 6 — 1 p.m.: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser
Game 7 — 4 p.m.: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Game 8 — 7 p.m.: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner
Monday’s Games
Game 9 — 1 p.m.: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser
Game 10 — 4 p.m.: Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 loser
Game 11 — 7 p.m.: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner
Tuesday’s Games
Game 12: — 4 p.m.: Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 loser
Game 13: — 7 p.m.: Game 11 winner vs. Game 10 winner
Wednesday’s Games
Game 14 — 5 p.m.: Championship Game
Game 15 — 8 p.m.: If necessary
