Clarion Dugout Goes 4-0 To Claim 2014 Kirby Hetrick Memorial Championship (07/18/14)

(By Dugout Manager, Bill Smith)
The Clarion Dugout 8U team went undefeated as it claimed the 2014 Kirby Hetrick Memorial Championship this past weekend in Brookville. Clarion and Brookville’s Stewart Labs/Bullers Construction battled the elements last Tuesday night to fight off the rain to get their tournament play under way. Clarion came away with the win with an offensive explosion scoring 21 runs in four innings.

(Photos by Michelle Murray) Clarion Dugout – 2014 Kirby Hetrick Memorial Tournament Champs
Coach Mike Ferguson, Coach David Smail, Coach Chadd Murray, Coach Bill Smith
Derek Smail, Dawson Smail, Jack Callen, Brice Brinkley, Brayden Murray, Gabe Simko, Tommy Smith
Dave Hetrick Devon Lauer, Owen Kriebel, Jase Ferguson, Jake Smith, Tanner Miller, Nick Aaron

In game two, The Dugout matched up with Bradford, and continued its dominance with the bats scoring nine runs in the first inning, to come away with a 17-3 victory and to secure their spot in the winner’s bracket final. The Dugout then found themselves in a defensive battle with Punxsy’s Joe’s Drive-In, in a fight to secure a spot in the championship game. Jase Ferguson scored runs in the first and fifth innings, while The Dugout’s defense proved its dominance with a diving catch by leftfielder Dawson Smail, to lead them to a 7-2 victory.

The Dugout then had a three game wait to determine who they would play for the championship. Brookville’s Little Buccos battled the heat and three opponents for a chance to face The Dugout in the tournament final. After going down 2-0 in the first inning, The Dugout started to get fired up. Brayden Murray, Bryce Brinkley, and Jake Smtih scored runs to take a 3-2 lead in the second inning. The Dugout “D” led by shortstop Devon Lauer, 2nd baseman Nick Aaron, and 1st baseman Jack Callen tightened up to go 1,2,3 in the bottom of the second.

Time out team huddle

Tanner Miller started the scoring in the top of the third. Murray then tripled driving in Ferguson, Tommy Smith, and Gabe Simko with a monster hit over the leftfielder’s head to extend their lead to 8-2. Owen Kriebel scored The Dugout’s only run in the fourth. Simko’s lead-off triple started a big inning rally in the top of the fifth, where The Dugout secured 8 runs to extend their lead to 15 runs. The Little Buccos managed to bring in one run in the bottom of the fifth, but wasn’t enough to extend the game to the sixth inning. Miller’s throw from right field to second base sealed the last out and the championship with a final score of 17-3.

Team sponsor: K.B.&B. Dugout.

Tournament sponsors: The Tavern, Edwards Appliance, Kerle Tire

A special thanks to Dave Hetrick and his family for putting together yet another great tournament for these young ball players!

(Thanks to Coach Smith for this article and to Michelle Murray for the photos. Congratulations to the Dugout!!!!)