Squirrels store another trophy, beat Tropics for second straight state title

The Charleston Fighting Squirrels’ Levi McKinnie (21) scores during a 7-4 win in the 2024 Babe Ruth 19U State Championship at Hillhouse Park in Charleston, Missouri on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

CHARLESTON, Mo. – The Charleston Fighting Squirrels are back on top in the Show-Me State, claiming their second straight Babe Ruth 19U Missouri State Championship with a 7-4 victory over the reigning World Series Champions, the Southeast Tropics.

The Squirrels’ win at Hillhouse Park on Tuesday sets the stage for a potential rematch with the Tropics at the 2024 World Series in Cape Girardeau, where Charleston hopes to avenge last year’s underwhelming performance.

“I’m extremely proud of our guys,” beamed Squirrels’ coach Michael Minner. “We turned it on at the right time, the guys pulled for each other and we played really good baseball.”

The Squirrels wasted no time putting their stamp on the game, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning – with both runs coming with two outs. Brady Swims smacked a single to center, scoring Owen Osborne, and Jack Evans reached on an error, allowing Lawson Graff to scamper home.

Charleston kept the pressure on in the second, as Brady Smith’s sacrifice fly plated Owen Willis for a 3-0 advantage.

The Squirrels tacked on another run in the third when Will Friley ripped a line-drive single to left, scoring Osborne.

“We were super aggressive,” Minner said. “That’s what we talk about, we want to get into situations where we can be aggressive. We jumped on them early and it allowed us to play our game.”

The scoring spree continued in the fourth with Levi McKinnie crossing the plate on a Smith single, and Osborne delivered a two-run double, driving in Will Green and Smith to make it 7-0.

“We did a good job of getting big hits, putting bunts and running the bases,” Minner said. “It was a great team win and capped off an exceptional week of baseball.”

The Tropics finally broke through in the sixth, avoiding the shutout when Kolten Payne scored on a bases-loaded walk. The Tropics threatened again in the seventh, as Mason Adams doubled home Ross Peters.

Dylan Hayman followed with a two-run single.

But the Squirrels slammed the door shut on the next at-bat as Smith snagged a line drive at third, ending the game with a defensive gem.

“If that ball gets down right there, the tying run is probably on second base,” Minner said. “We’re fortunate to get out of here. Anytime we play the Tropics it’s going to be a tough one. Getting that last out is always the toughest one to get.”

Luke Hester earned the win, tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball, striking out four and scattering two hits. Peyton Hodges (0.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K, 1 BB) and Bennett Logan (0.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K, 1 BB) bridged the gap to Tate McDaniel (0.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 K, 1 BB), who closed out the game.

“Luke Hester was phenomenal and did a tremendous job with his control,” Minner said. “He pitched out of jams all night. He just ran out of gas and we had to show how deep we are pitching-wise. We brought in four good arms after that and managed to get out of here with a win.”

Beau-Hunter Warren was saddled with the loss for the Tropics, allowing five runs on seven hits over four innings. Dalton Forck (2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 3 K, 0 BB) pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

The Squirrels will now set their sights on the 2024 19U Babe Ruth World Series, held August 9 through 15 at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau.

Charleston finds itself in a familiar position, having won the state title last year before falling short in the World Series. But with a second consecutive state championship under their belt, the Squirrels are confident they have what it takes to go all the way.

“Now we can turn our focus to the World Series,” Minner said. “One of the things we always want to do is win our way there. We want to make sure that we are the team that deserves to be there, and we did that this week. We’ve turned it on at the right time and are excited to continue this run.”

The road to redemption won’t be easy, but if the state championship game performance is any indication, the Squirrels are more than ready for the challenge.

“We’re going to approach it the same way,” Minner concluded. “We play to win every game. We know there are going to be big crowds and it’s going to be an interesting atmosphere. Hopefully, we play better than we did last year.”