Southeast Tropics 'send message' in State Tourney opener

Southeast Tropics shortstop Mason Adams (left) has fun with Tropics pitcher Beau-Hunter Warren following an inning against the SEMO Legends on Thursday at Hillhouse Park in Charleston in the 2024 Senior Babe Ruth State Tournament.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

CHARLESTON – The Southeast Tropics took their initial official steps towards defending their 2023 Senior Babe Ruth World Series Championship on Thursday, as they exploded on the SEMO Legends 15-0 in three innings in their opening game of the State Tournament at Hillhouse Park.

“We’re staying locked in,” veteran Tropics manager Dustin Schwartz said following the win. “They know that they have to come out and make a statement, and that means staying involved.”

The Tropics (18-4-1) demonstrated their focus by successfully nabbing a Legends baserunner in a well-executed rundown to close the rout.

“I’ve been saying all year,” Schwartz continued, “one through 17 on this roster, we have ballplayers. They know this is fun and games, but when it gets between the lines, it’s time to take care of business.”

The Tropics got a leadoff triple from Aaron Dunlap to start the afternoon and Schwartz’s team never looked back.

The Tropics connected for four hits and scored three runs in their opening at-bat.

They added five more runs in the second inning and closed the game with seven in the third, as the Tropics totaled 12 hits.

Former Oran High standout Kolten Payne paced the winners with two hits, three RBI, and a couple of runs scored while former Portageville High star Mason Adams added two hits, two RBI, and a run scored.

Former Kelly High athlete Dalton Forck chipped in two hits and an RBI while Dunlap (one hit, three runs), Trey Benthal (one hit, two runs, two RBI), Dylan Hayman (one RBI, one run, one walk), Luke Umfleet (one hit, one run), Jay Bogan (one hit), Reece Eftink (one hit, two runs, two RBI), and Brenden Campbell (one hit, two runs, one RBI) also were productive.

Payne and Benthal each had doubles while Eftink joined Dunlap in hitting a triple.

Dunlap, Campbell, Forck, and Hayman each added stolen bases.

On the mound, former Portageville High thrower Beau-Hunter Warren worked all three innings and didn’t allow a hit while walking one and striking out three.

He threw 21 strikes in 32 pitches.

“It’s the same thing as always with Beau,” Schwartz said. “He just says ‘Here it is. Defense work (and) I’m coming right at you.’”

The Tropics will play today at 3 p.m. A win today advances the team to a 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.