The Owensboro Western All-Stars narrowly lost Rosemoor, IL, 7-6 on Sunday, just missing a shot to advance to the Cal Ripken World Series. Western won the state tournament earlier this month and won their first three games at the regional tournament in Terra Haute, IN, before suffering the loss.
The All-Star squad began playing together on June 24, compiling an 11-1 record, along with district and state titles and a regional semifinal appearance. The regional tournament featured teams from Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana.
The game was all square at 6-6 when Rosemoor launched an eventual game-winning home run over the fence in center field in the fifth inning. Head coach Mike Watson said he’s incredibly proud of the team and their efforts despite the loss.
“For these boys to compete against some of the bigger programs that were represented speaks for itself,” Watson said. “For the most part, these guys will never be on the same team again but will definitely represent their high schools well, some of them in multiple sports.”
Western struck first on Sunday when Amaud Watkins drove in two runs on a single in the first inning. Neil Quisenberry followed with a 2-run bomb in the third, giving the squad a 4-1 lead.
Rosemoor followed with a 3-run dinger of their own to tie things up at 4-4 entering the fifth inning. An RBI single by Cal Murphy, followed by a walk, allowed Western to regain the lead 6-4 in the top of the fifth. But it wasn’t enough, as the home team mustered up three runs on back-to-back homers for the eventual victory.
Lucas Patton started on the mound for the team, surrendering seven runs (four earned) on seven hits over four and two third innings.
Western was undefeated entering Sunday’s contest, having recently defeated Crown Point, IN, on Friday and Saturday. The team they defeated in the tournament opener, 5-4, Campbellsville, went on to win the tournament.
