Freight win eight straight for Kelso title

Posted: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 - 10:36:13 am CDT
By Chris Stalter, Sports Editor

After losing their opener, Vandalia's men's fastpitch softball team put together eight straight victories in two days to claim the Kelso Klassic championship.

On the brink of elimination after losing 2-1 to the Memphis Posse in their first game, Guaranteed Air Freight won their next eight games, including six on Sunday.

The Freight bounced back in the elimination bracket with a 10-3 victory against Kelso Fastpitch and a 12-1 win against Memphis Po-Men on Saturday.

During their endurance test on Sunday, the Freight beat Kelso Jamco, 2-0, then topped Graff Pepsi, 10-6, in nine innings.

In a rematch with the Memphis Posse, the Freight prevailed, 3-1.

Vandalia topped Teutopolis KCs, 9-5, to reach the championship round.

The Freight handed Nokomis its first loss, with a 2-1 victory.

In the championship game of the double-elimination tournament, the Freight completed their remarkable journey by defeating Nokomis again, 11-0.

With the 8-1 tournament run, the Freight improved to 11-4 on the season.

Freight sweep Altamont Home Center

The Freight prepared for its marathon weekend by sweeping a doubleheader on Wednesday against Altamont Home Center, 6-1 and 6-2.

In the opener, Freight hurler Alan Meinhart threw a three-hitter. He did not allow an earned run, striking out 12 and walking only two.

The Freight established a 4-0 lead by scoring once in the first, twice in the second and once in the third inning. Nick Casey gave Vandalia the lead with an RBI hit in the first inning. Casey finished two for four, with a home run and two RBIs.

Jeremy Moore added an RBI single in the second inning. Mark Burnam homered in the third inning.

The Freight had eight hits on the night. Casey led the way with two hits. Burnam homered. J.D. Arnold, Greg Bellaver, Kevin Cook, Moore and Rich Well singled.

In the nightcap, the father-son duo of Marty and Payton Cloe combined to beat Altamont. Marty Cloe started and threw five scoreless innings. The elder Cloe struck out 11, walked two and allowed only one hit.

Payton Cloe allowed three hits in two innings. He walked one and struck out one batter.

Casey was three for four in the second game, with a solo home run. Cook, Bryan Hobbie and Well each singled. Moore drove in one run.

Next

The Freight will compete in the Virginia Tournament this weekend, with play scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.