UPDATE: The Malcolm seniors defeated Tri County 13-3 to win the Class C Area 4 tournament July 25. Hayden Frank was 3-5 with two doubles and a home run and drove in four. Carson Frank and Maddox Meyer also hit home runs for Malcolm.
Meyer got the win on the mound, pitching four innings and striking out six.
The state tournament starts Saturday, July 29, at Gordon-Rushville. Brackets had not yet been released.
Just three days removed from the Malcolm juniors celebrating back-to-back state titles, eight members of that team joined their seniors-only teammates in hopes of more of the same. The Malcolm seniors began area tournament play July 22 in Wymore.
“When the juniors got back, we had a couple of good practices to refocus,” Malcolm head coach Tanner Soderberg said. “Heading into our first game, it was important for us to all get on the same page and to be the most prepared team at the tournament.”
The top-seeded seniors jumped out to an early lead in their opener against Wymore-Diller-Odell when Carson Frank drove Mason Wisnieski and Hayden Frank in the top of the first. Malcolm scored six more in the third and added five runs in the fourth to run away with a 13-1 win in five innings.
After being used sparingly in the juniors’ state tournament, Carson Frank and his fresh arm went the distance and struck out seven Wymore batters while allowing just three hits.
“We didn’t think this would be the case, but Carson only threw 30 pitches at state,” Soderberg said. “When he has his breaking ball working, he is a real tough pitcher. He was able to be effective against Wymore and keep guys off balance.”
Frank helped his cause by going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in. The elder Frank was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Wisnieski and Maddox Meyer also doubled in the game in which all 18 Malcolm players got in the lineup. Nine players recorded at least one hit.
“I don’t think we are firing on all cylinders yet,” Soderberg said. “But, it’s exciting to see guys making good contact.”
Connor Zegar took the mound in Malcolm’s July 23 game against Tri County and tossed three-and-a-third innings in a 12-2 win. Zegar — who played at Buena Vista University in the spring — allowed two hits while fanning three batters.
“Connor is a leader,” Soderberg said. “He just goes out and competes. He sets a great example for any little kids that might be watching.”
Zegar got Malcolm on the board early with a three-run double in the bottom of the first. Meyer helped out by going 2-for-3 and blasting a three-run homer in the second inning.
After the weekend, Malcolm (22-5) was one win away from a return trip to the state tournament. Malcolm was set to face the winner of Hebron and Tri County on July 25.
The Class C Seniors State Tournament begins Saturday, July 29, and will be hosted by the communities of Gordon and Rushville.
“We’ll need a few good days of practice after districts,” Soderberg said. “The state tournament field will be loaded with collegiate ready arms. Teams like Lincoln Lutheran and Dannebrog-Cairo-Boelus have had our number this year. We’ve got work to do to be ready.”
