Legion claims own Invitational title

Nick Batts and Post 23 took care of business on Saturday and Sunday to win the Shelbyville Invitational. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

If there's a tournament teams don't want to lose as they run through their summer travel ball schedule, it's the one they host.

Nobody wants to run a concession stand, rake the field and chalk the baseline for a championship game without the home team involved.

Shelbyville Senior American Legion Post 23 won their way to the finals of the Shelbyville Invitational and took care of business from there, downing Douglasville (Ga.) Post 145 7-3 for the championship on Sunday.

Post 23 center fielder Shamichael Black singled and scored the first run of game in the bottom of the third.

After the Georgia boys tied matters in their portion of the fourth, Stephon Ransom reached via error and was pushed around the bases by a walk to Nick Batts, a wild pitch and a base hit by Drew Turner.

In the fifth, Douglasville's Dalton Acord was plunked and scored three batters later to tie the game at two.

Shelbyville won the tournament in the bottom portion of inning five. Ransom and Batts singled. Chase Johnson doubled. Turner, Hunter Bates and Connor Tracy reached via free pass. Ben Jones got on thanks to an error. Ten batters came to the plate altogether and five touched home.

Acord, Jordan Quinn and Gary Perkins all banged out singles in the Post 145 half of the sixth, but they only scratched across a single score.

Jordan Cooper started on the mound for Post 23 and allowed a mere one run over four frames. Jordan Burchett bridged the gap to Matt Utterback, who earned the win. They combined to hold Douglasville to six hits over seven innings.

Ransom finished with two of Shelbyville's eight hits.

Shelbyville 8, Blue Springs (Mo.) 0: In Sunday's semifinals, starting pitcher Drew Owen and the Post 23 defense combined for a one-hit shutout.

Stephen Montisano led off the game with a single for Post 499. He was erased on the basepaths trying to steal. The next 17 batters were retired in order.

Black singled twice and doubled to pace Shelbyville's 10-hit attack. Jones and Johnson had two hits apiece.

Shelbyville 3, Blue Springs 2: On Saturday night, Turner saved the day by laying out in the 3-4 hole with the bases loaded and his team clinging to a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh. He pounced to his feet after going full extension and threw out Robbie Payton to end the game and his teammates mobbed him where he stood.

Bryant Prater doubled and scored the eventual game-winning run in the fifth.

Bates was the winning pitcher. Johnson relieved late. The two held Post 499 to three hits.