CRUISIN’ ON THEFOURTHBucks win tournament, run record to 24-1
Published 5:00 am Monday, July 5, 2004
The Central Oregon Bucks won the Papa’s Pizza Legion Baseball Tournament on Sunday with a 10-7 victory over West Linn in the semifinals, followed by a 5-4 win over Danville (Calif.) in the championship game.
The Bucks also trailed in Sunday’s first game, but scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. David Groener led the Bucks at the plate with two doubles and a single in five trips to the plate; Devin Clason and Ryan Jordan each had a pair of hits.
Sam Houston pitched the win with Kip Wilson earning a save.
In the championship contest, the Bucks again struck in the sixth inning, loading the bases on Matt Hilgers’ double and two walks.
Dan Bruton then rapped a two-run single and Ian Hodge followed with an RBI single.
Johnny Hirko pitched 6?226-130? innings for the win, allowing three Danville runs in the seventh. Clason came on to get the last out.
”It was a couple of close games,” Bucks coach Nathan Pratt said. ”We seem to get ourselves in a hole sometimes, but the kids know how to get back on top with big hits at the right time.
Groener was the MVP of the nine-team tournament. Bruton and Hodge were named to the all-tournament team.
The Bucks, winners of 24 games against a single loss this season, next play the Bend Elks at 7 p.m. Wednesday in an exhibition game at Vince Genna Stadium.