GI Five Points Bank Finishes A7 Junior Runner-Up

(Scottsbluff, NE) - (Game #1) - Landon Vasicek drove in four runs on two hits to lead Grand Island Five Points Bank past Kearney Pinnacle Bank 12-4 on Tuesday at Cleveland Field. Vasicek hit a home run to left field in the second inning, scoring two runs, and singled in the second inning, scoring two. 

Grand Island was in a must-win situation vs Kearney to force a winner-take-all game in the Area 7 tournament. Kearney defeated GI on Saturday by a score of 10-5 to give Five Points Bank their first loss of the tournament. Going into Tuesday, Kearney had not lost yet. 

Grand Island Five Points Bank won thanks in part to nine runs in the second inning. Vasicek homered to left field, scoring two runs, Ben Chelewski singled, scoring one run, Bo Stobbe drew a walk, scoring one run, Jackson Gangwish singled, scoring one run, Austin Gilbert singled, scoring two runs, and Vasicek singled, scoring two runs.

Grand Island Five Points Bank was the first to get on the board in the first when Stobbe doubled, scoring one run.

In the bottom of the first inning, Kearney Pinnacle Bank went back into the lead after Jacob Schmidt singled, and Brady Schaffner singled down the right field line, each scoring one run.

Grand Island Five Points Bank added one run in the third after Gangwish grounded out.

Major Bowen started on the bump for Grand Island Five Points Bank. The right-handed pitcher gave up eight hits and four runs (two earned) over five innings, striking out three and walking two. Parker Mentzer led things off on the hill for Kearney Pinnacle Bank. The right-handed pitcher allowed nine hits and 10 runs (nine earned) over two innings, striking out one and walking two.

Grand Island Five Points Bank tallied 10 hits in the game.

Leadoff hitter Sawyer Bruner led Kearney Pinnacle Bank with two hits in three at-bats. Hagan Gates, Schmidt, and Schaffner each drove in one run for Kearney Pinnacle Bank. Kearney Pinnacle Bank turned two double plays in the game. 

The win for Grand Island would then force a winner-take-all game two. 

(Game #2) - Even though Grand Island Five Points Bank collected eight hits, they still fell 4-3 to Kearney Pinnacle Bank on Tuesday. Bo Stobbe led Grand Island Five Points Bank with three hits.

Kearney Post 52 Juniors were the first to get on the board in the first when Parker Mentzer doubled, scoring one run.

Stobbe doubled down the right field line, which helped Grand Island Five Points Bank tie the game at one in the bottom of the first.

Kearney Post 52 Juniors took the lead in the top of the third. Jacob Schmidt singled, scoring one run, to give Kearney Post 52 Juniors the advantage, 2-1.

Brady Schaffner earned the win for Kearney Post 52 Juniors. The pitcher gave up eight hits and three runs over seven innings, striking out four and walking none. Aaden Schwieger took the loss for Grand Island Five Points Bank. The reliever went two and two-thirds innings, giving up zero runs on two hits, striking out two and walking two. Karston Koch started the game for Grand Island Five Points Bank. The starting pitcher gave up five hits and four runs (one earned) over four and one-third innings, striking out seven and walking three.

Stobbe and Austin Gilbert each drove in one run for Grand Island Five Points Bank. Axten Hadenfeldt collected two hits for Grand Island Five Points Bank in four at bats.

Sawyer Bruner and Hagan Gates each collected two hits for Kearney Post 52 Juniors. Bruner, Collin Berggren, Mentzer, and Schmidt each drove in one run for Kearney Post 52 Juniors. Kearney Post 52 Juniors didn't commit a single error in the field. Bruner had the most chances in the field with four. 

Grand Island Five Points Bank finishes the season with a record of 31-6. Kearney advances to the state tournament in Hastings with a record of 17-23.