Competing Yesterday on the second day of the John Hayes Invitational Tournament, the Owensboro Post 9 Bombers started their double-header by overcoming a four-run deficit, before dropping the second game in heartbreaking fashion.
In the opener against Kirkwood Post 156 AAA, the Bombers trailed 7-3 in the top of the sixth, before scoring six straight runs to win 9-7. Easton Blandford started the comeback by driving in two on a double and later scoring after Logen Thomas grounded out. Will Rickard scored on a passed ball to tie the game, and Parker Heistand quickly singled to make it 9-7.
Heistand finished 3-4 with two RBIs, while Talon Cartwright, Blandford, and Hayden Fisher had the team’s only other hits. Carter Kimmel started on the mound, allowing seven runs over 3 2/3 innings, striking out five, while Cartwright and Levi Rogers both pitched in relief.
In their second game against Eugen Pate Post 265, the Bombers led 4-3 and 9-6, but were unable to close it out. Eugene Pate scored six runs in the last two innings to win 12-10. Blandford finished 4-4 with two RBIs, while Barrett Evans and Jagger Pate both went 2-3. Grayson Smith started on the mound, allowing nine runs over 3 2/3 innings, while Rogers and Cartwright both pitched in relief.
“Against Kirkwood, we came out a little flat and fell behind early,” Owensboro Bombers head coach Matt Freeman said. “The bats woke up later in the game, and we made a big comeback, winning in the last inning. In game two, we faced a very good Evansville Pate team. It was a slugfest back and forth. The kids fought hard, but ultimately lost the lead late. But our fight was strong, and we didn’t give up.”
