All streaks eventually come to an end and in a weekend full of postseason play for the Chadron Platte Valley Bank American Legion Post 12 juniors, their long winning streak finally did. Back on Saturday in the winners bracket of the B-7 Area Tournament, Chadron took on McCook putting a five game winning streak and a shot at an easier path to the title game on the line and fell 11-5. McCook sprinted out to a six run lead after the first two innings and did not look back. They continued to add on in the fifth and seventh innings fending off Chadron who was showing signs of life late. Chadron then fell into the losers bracket for an elimination game vs Gering on Sunday.
Tobin Landen, Caden Ryan and Tayven Jenkins each had a run batted in in the game vs McCook.
The gloves came off in Sunday’s elimination game with Chadron and Gering trading blows throughout with Chadron getting the final say winning 11-6 to stay alive in the area tournament.
Chadron led 1-0 after the first inning, Gering responded in a big way with three in the top of the second. That is where the back and forth really started as Chadron hit back with four runs in response. Gering managed to tie it up with two runs in the third but Cahdron matched them with two of their own in the bottom of the frame which ended up being the deciding factor.
Gering got close with a run in the top of the fourth, cutting the Chadron lead down to one. Chadron then added four runs of insurance to pull off the five run win by an 11-6 final score.
Tobin Meyer had three RBI’s in the game as well as Jenkins.
Ryan got credit for the win, pitching four innings allowing seven hits, five earned runs while striking out three.
Chadron plays Alliance Monday night, and this is confusing but follow along. Alliance has already secured a birth in the title game no matter what happens vs Chadron. But Chadron will not secure a spot in the title game yet if they defeat Alliance but will be eliminated if they lose. If Chadron beats Alliance they then will play the winner of Monday’s other game pitting McCook vs Sidney on Tuesday afternoon and the winner of that game will then play Alliance in a winner take all title game.