Washburn’s Babe Ruth season ends with dramatic extra-inning loss
Washburn Post 12’s Babe Ruth baseball season came to an end at the district tournament after a pair of losses, including a highscoring extra-inning battle against Beulah in the elimination round.
Washburn opened tournament play July 12 with an 18-0 loss to Belfield before nearly completing a major comeback in a 19-18, eight-inning loss to Beulah on Monday.
Post 12 finished the season with a 9-13 overall record.
Belfield took control early in the opening round, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning and adding two more in the second for a 6-0 advantage.
The lead grew considerably in the third, when Belfield pushed six runs across the plate. Another six-run inning in the fourth gave Belfield an 18-0 lead and brought the game to an early conclusion after five innings.
Washburn was held to two hits in the contest while committing six errors defensively. Chase Beecher and Jaxon Solomonson recorded the team’s hits, with both finishing 1-for-2 at the plate. Tytus Lee drew Washburn’s lone walk.
Beecher started on the mound and worked 2.2 innings.
He allowed nine hits and 11 runs, seven earned, while walking five and striking out four.
Lee pitched one-third of an inning, allowing two hits and five runs, two earned. He issued three walks and recorded one strikeout. Jake Kulzer finished the game with one inning of relief, giving up two hits and two earned runs while walking one and striking out one.
The loss sent Washburn into an elimination game against Beulah on Monday.
Post 12 responded with a much stronger offensive performance, collecting 13 hits and scoring in seven consecutive innings, but Beulah escaped with a 19-18 victory in eight innings.
Beulah scored twice in the opening inning, while Washburn answered with one run in the bottom half.
Post 12 added another run in the second to tie the game at 2-2.
Beulah moved back in front with three runs in the third and two more in the fourth. Washburn responded with one run in the third and five in the fourth, giving Post 12 an 8-7 lead.