Junior Teeners Go 2-1 in George Smith Invitational

The Milbank Junior Teeners played Saturday, June 18, in a round robin tournament at Pribyl Park. The 14U bracket also included Webster, Groton, and Britton. Milbank defeated Webster 10-2, fell to Groton 5-2, and defeated Britton 7-4 to end the tournament 2-1.

In game one against Webster, Milbank got their offense going in the top of the second. Tyler Henje hit a leadoff single and Beckham Berry followed with a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. Lance Engebretson grounded out to the second baseman, but it allowed both runners to score on the play.

Milbank tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the third. Mason Allen, Liam Heller, and Henje all drew walks to load the bases with no outs. Berry scored two out of the three on a single to put the score at 4-2. Aiden Kelly drew a walk to reload the bases and Jackson Wiese scored two more runs with a single to right field to increase Milbank’s lead to 6-2.

In the bottom of the fourth, Milbank scored four more runs. Mack Koplin led off with a double followed by an Allen walk. Heller reached first on an error, and both base runners came around to score to give Milbank the lead at 8-2. Henje did the same, to add another run for Milbank and keep them ahead 9-2. Henje also came around to score on a passed ball and Milbank took the win at 10-2.

In game two, both of Milbank’s runs came in the bottom of the fifth when they were down 5-0. Engebretson led off with a single and he was followed by Wiese, who had a single of his own. Wiese scored Engebretson to get Milbank on the board at 5-1. Henje grounded out and Wiese scored to cut the deficit to 5-2. Neither teams could produce any more runs in the game, and Milbank took the loss at 5-2.

Milbank faced Britton in their final game. In the bottom of the first, the locals found themselves trailing 3-0. Wiese and Jeter Scoular drew back-to-back walks, and Wiese crossed the plate when Henje grounded out to the shortstop. The scoreboard read 3-1.

Milbank cut the deficit again in the bottom of the second. Kelly drew a one-out walk. Berry followed it with a single to centerfield to put runners on first and third with one out.  Engebretson grounded out, but Kelly came across to score and Milbank inched closer at 3-2.

Milbank took over the lead in the bottom of the third. Scoular drew a leadoff walk, Henje doubled to left field, and Scoular came around to score and tie the game at 3-3. Allen singled to right field to allow Henje to score and push Milbank ahead at 4-3. Allen scored on Berry’s single to left field to increase Milbank’s lead to 5-3.

In the bottom of the fourth, Scoular drew a one-out walk to get things started. Koplin scored him on a single to centerfield and Milbank surged ahead at 6-3. Henje came back with another single to give Milbank a comfortable lead at 7-3, and Milbank hung on to pick up the victory.