Tropics get 'wake-up call' in dramatic State W

Southeast Tropics hitter Dylan Hayman watches a hit get through the infield as he runs to first base in a recent win over the SEMO Legends in the Senior Babe Ruth State Tournament at Hillhouse Park in Charleston. Hayman had two hits in Saturday's win over the Cardinals Perfectos Legacy 19U squad.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

Earlier in this summer baseball season, veteran Southeast Tropics manager Dustin Schwartz could find a sense of admiration for his team’s ability to always find a way to success, even if it were in the final pitches of a game.

“Our guys don’t quit,” Schwartz said at the time. “We can kind of wait a little late sometimes to get going.

“They are never out of a game.”

In a dramatic win over the Cardinals Legacy Perfectos 19U squad on Saturday, Schwartz was a tad more tempered with his enthusiasm for how his team won 9-4 in eight innings.

The Tropics allowed a 4-0 margin to evaporate but put up five runs in their final at-bat to advance to the next round of the 2024 Senior Babe Ruth State Tournament at Hillhouse Park in Charleston.

They will advance to today’s contest with the Aycorp Media Charleston Fighting Squirrels 19U group at 5:30 p.m.

“We tried to give this (game) away,” Schwartz said following Saturday’s victory. “We take this as a wake-up call that we needed.”

The Tropics allowed the Perfectos to connect for four singles while also committing an error in the seventh inning, which tied the game at four.

Former Oran High pitcher Kolten Payne entered the game in the seventh after two of those hits and got three strikeouts mixed with a pair of hits. He then retired the Perfectos in order in the eighth to seal the victory.

“Kolten slammed the door on them,” Schwartz said.

Tropics have flair for dramatic in continued rallying Ws

Tom Davis

BENTON - Just a note to fans of the Southeast Tropics, don't leave their games early, because more than likely you'll miss out on a rallying win by the highly successful team.

In the top of the eighth with the score tied, former Kelly High athlete Ross Peters drew a leadoff walk and moved up a base on a wild pitch.

Former Malden High player Trey Miller reached on a bunt single, which advanced Peters to third base.

An intentional walk to Aaron Dunlap was followed by a walk to Payne, which brought home Peters, and then former Portageville High standout Mason Adams hit a two-run single into right field for a 7-4 score.

Trey Benthal was intentionally walked to load the bases and former Jackson High player Dylan Hayman doubled home Payne and Adams for the final margin.

“Dylan has really put together some good at-bats,” Schwartz said of this summer season.

Hayman paced the offense with two hits, including that double, to go with one run, one walk, and two RBI.

Former Kelly High star Dalton Forck also had two hits to go with two RBI and a run while Dunlap (one run, two walks), Payne (one hit, two runs, one RBI, two walks), Adams (one hit, one run, two RBI), Benthal (one hit, one walk), Beau-Hunter Warren (one hit, two RBI), Waylon Hale (one run), Peters (one run, one walk), and Miller (one hit, one run) also contributed.

Warren hit a triple in the win while Hayman, Payne, Miller, and Hale each stole a base.

Peters worked six innings on the mound in the start and allowed four hits, two earned runs, three walks, and struck out seven.

“Ross was excellent,” Schwartz said.

Peters threw 57 strikes in his 98 pitches while Payne threw 25 strikes in his 34 throws.

“We got the wake-up call that we needed,” Schwartz concluded. “They responded the right way.”