Published: July 08, 2008 12:23 am         

Logan 12s advance to state

Logan avenges earlier district tourney loss against Russiaville.

Facing a 4-0 deficit in an elimination game against a team it had lost to earlier in the week, the Logansport 12-year-old All-Star baseball A team responded when it needed to and survived to see another day.

Logansport scored seven runs in a decisive third inning to erase the early deficit en route to an 8-5 win over Russiaville Monday in a Cal Ripken District Tournament game at Crain Field. Logan’s big third inning was highlighted by a two-run double by Nito Luna and a three-run home run by Kyle Jordan.

Logan coach Dan Frye was happy to secure a spot in the state tournament with a group of players that were the state champions a year ago in the 11-year-old division.

“It would have been a huge disappointment not to come out of your hometown district tournament with the talent that we have,” he said. “It was a phenomenal win. The kids came out ready to play.

“I couldn’t be any happier with our pitching and we played solid defense.”

Dustin Clements, Jordan and Travis Palmer combined for the win on the mound for Logansport.

Russiaville standout Cameron Herr, who can throw over 70 miles per hour, started the game and pitched a scoreless first inning before being removed.

“His coach said his arm was little tender,” Frye said.

Herr led Russiaville at the plate with a pair of home runs.

A highlight play defensively for Logansport occurred when Andrew Wamsley completed a double play from right field when he threw out a runner at home trying to score on a fly ball.

After defeating Russiaville, Logansport turned around and defeated Taylor 5-2 later in the night to force a district championship game between the two squads that will take place at 6 p.m. tonight.

Frye said he was concerned with a letdown against Taylor after having already secured a spot in the state tournament.

“We weren’t quite ready to go,” Frye said of the start of the Taylor game, “but we turned it on pretty quick.”

Palmer got the start and didn’t allow an earned run in five innings of work, striking out 10. Jordan completed the game with an inning of relief.

At the plate, Palmer helped his own cause with two hits including a home run. Clements and Michael Kistler had two hits as well. Luna, Austin Gaby and Sheldon Corcoran all added base hits.

Logansport plays for the district tournament tonight before state tournament play begins in St. John on Thursday.

Frye has confidence in his squad.

“We have 13 good baseball players. Each one of them could be a starter; each one of them can hit,” he said. “We’ve had kids hit home runs and have RBIs in every spot in the order. They understand every time they come to bat they can get a hit. Up and down the lineup we’re the best team out there. There’s no holes. The other team doesn’t get a break. We put pressure on our opponents every at-bat, so we’re never out of a ballgame.”

Sports editor Beau Wicker compiled this roundup.