Seward Juniors end fifth at tournament in Crete

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The Seward Legion juniors were fifth in the Gretchen Walker Memorial Invitational at Crete over the weekend, going 2-1 with wins over Ayars & Ayars and Fairbury and a loss to Crete.

Seward started the week in Crete June 22 and beat the home team 10-3.

“We should’ve put the game away sooner,” Coach Ben Kuefner said. “We were up 8-0 after two and let them score.”

He was happy to see the team finally putting all the pieces together and the beginnings of the bulldog instinct he wants to see.

Seward played Ayars & Ayars in the first game June 25, winning 8-4. Kuefner said the team hit the ball well, and the game allowed the team to set up its pitching for the rest of the tournament.

Breken Kocian and Carl Taylor each hit a double for Seward. Kocian drove in three runs for the second game in a row, and Braiden Herring drove in two.

Seward played Crete again June 26 and lost 12-0.

“We came in expecting to win without the mindset of we need to play good baseball,” Kuefner said. “Our defense and pitching fell apart late. It was disappointing because we thought we had a chance to win the whole tournament.”

Seward finished with just four hits off Crete pitcher Brett Ladely, who struck out 10. One of Seward’s hits was a double by Herring.

In the fifth-place game June 27, Seward beat Fairbury 11-7. Kyle Peery was 4-5 with a double, and Carter Ernesti and Dylan Read each drove in two runs.

Kuefner said the team started to understand that they still have to play, even if they’ve beaten a team before.

He said the coaches took the opportunity for some bench players to see the field in competition.

“It was nice to see us bounce back,” Kuefner said.

Seward (5-13) were to compete in the Eastern Nebraska Baseball League tournament starting June 29 at Hickman. Seward and Crete will square off again in the opening round, with the winner to play Hickman. Semifinals are Wednesday, June 30, starting at 8 p.m. The championship game is Thursday, July 1, at 8 p.m. in Hickman.