Stephanie Croston

    The Seward American Legion senior team finished third in a tournament at York over the weekend, beating Central City 12-11, losing to David City 11-10 and defeating York in the third-place game 8-6.
     In the tournament opener, Seward came from behind to beat Central City, scoring six runs in the bottom of the seventh for the 12-11 victory.
     "We knew they would be pretty good," Coach Roy Wright said. "This was a really good win for us."
     He said the team didn't play well in the first six innings but put everything together in the seventh. Two walks, a single, a fielder's choice, two hits, another walk and a bases-clearing triple by Kevin Pulec gave Seward the win.
     "It was an out-and-out shot," Wright said of Pulec's hit. "If it hadn't won the game, it would have been a home run."
     Tanner Smith did hit a home run in the game, Alex Lowther and Russ Evavold were two for four and Trevor Oliver was two for three. Caleb Krenk had one hit and two walks.
     Justin Grieser got the start on the mound, and Oliver came on in the sixth inning and shut down the Central City offense, Wright said.
     The win put Seward in the winner's bracket against David City. In the June 23 game, Seward again rallied late but came up short 11-10. Nine of Seward's runs were earned, while none of David City's were. Wright said 11 errors were the reason.
     "That was a fluke deal. It's very uncharacteristic for us," he said.
     Pulec was two for four with a double, Lowther tripled, Smith doubled and Krenk was three for four to lead Seward at the plate.
     Seward faced York in the consolation game and held off a York rally to win 8-6. Pulec hit a home run, Grieser was two for three with a double and Oliver also doubled for Seward.
     "We played well," Wright said. "York had a run in the seventh, but we were in control the whole game."
     Grieser pitched five inings and allowed two runs. Krenk and Pulec threw in relief.
     "We were back to normal," Wright said. "We're tough to beat if there are no free bases."
     The week started with a 12-4 win over Schuyler June 19. Krenk pitched a complete game allowing just two hits and four runs in the second inning.
     "It's good to have someone to burn innings," Wright said.
     At the plate, Smith and Oliver were both two for two and Pulec hit a double.
    Upcoming action
     Seward was to play at Beatrice June 26, host Wahoo at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 28, visit Lincoln Northeast Friday, June 30, and host Lincoln High at noon Sunday, July 1.
     District play will start Thursday, July 19. The Seward seniors will host the senior tournament, which will be seeded this week, Wright said. The junior team is scheduled to play at Schuyler.