Recently returning from Alaska, the Madisonville Post 6 Rangers played in 13 games across three tournaments, winning both the Lance Coz Wood Bat and Alaska 529 Midseason Classic titles and finishing runners-up in the third. In the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic, the Rangers became the first team from Kentucky to both compete in and win the tournament.
“It was a great time, and the weather was perfect for baseball,” Madisonville Rangers head coach Jamie Mills said. “I don’t think it got higher than 70. There were days when it was in the 50s, but it was mainly in the 60s. It didn’t rain, and it was perfect weather.”
Jax Lee took the mound in the championship game, throwing a complete game shutout and striking out six. Jaelin Groves singled in the sixth to drive in the Rangers lone run, beating the Klamath Falls Falcons 1-0.
“It was fun going to Alaska and being able to play baseball. It was a great day to be a part of Madisonville Post 6 and be able to win,” Lee said. “I had great command of my pitches, and I had my defense behind, me so I was able to trust them and just throw strikes.”
Competing against seven other teams in the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic, the Rangers finished their run 4-0-1, tying with West Post 6-6 in their opener before ripping off four straight wins. In the semi-finals match, they blew out Kenai Post 20 14-1 on the back of Tate Nobles driving in five and Layden Bozarth finished 3-4.
Starting their Alaska trip, the Rangers competed in the Lance Coz Wood Bat tournament, finishing 3-1. In the championship game, they beat Kenai Post 20 2-0, with Lee taking the mound, striking out 10 over seven shutout innings. Hayden Hudson drove in both of the Rangers’ runs on a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly.
In the second tournament, the Rangers finished runners-up, but bounced back by winning the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic. Despite playing 13 games over two weeks, the team still had team to explore Alaska’s nature, going on a fishing trip and also spent time looking for the local animals.
“We had overalls, and we were all waist high in the water just enjoying times,” Lee said. “We were able to take pictures of the view and look for animals. We just saw birds, but the parents did see a moose.”
Back from Alaska, Madisonville has their eyes set on the second half of the season and has back-to-back massive games against Lyon County and Owensboro on Monday and Tuesday.
