C2D3: Saxony routs Puxico in five innings

CHAFFEE - It didn’t take the bats of the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders long to get going as they downed the Puxico Indians 14-2 in the quarterfinals of the Class 2 District 3 Tournament at Harmon Field in Chaffee.

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, the Crusaders responded with a four-run first inning of their own.

“We didn’t come out very good today in the first inning,” Crusaders coach Paul Sander said. “We got that bats going and I think that’s what it is. Through the last 10 or 12 games we’ve hit the ball well most of the time.”

Sander feels like part of the early struggles for the Crusaders were nerves entering postseason play.

“Especially for kids who haven’t been starters in the past,” Sander said. “It takes them an inning or so to get the jitters out and I get it. They were fine after the first inning but I don’t think that’s unexpected for us.”

Saxony came into postseason play off a loss at Charleston after winning 10 games in a row.

“It felt great (to get a win),” Crusaders’ senior Jace Boland said. “Since we lost to Charleston the other day we needed a reboot.”

Owen Tarry got the start on the mound for the Crusaders and he tossed four innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four.

Puxico handed the ball to Cole Barnfield and he allowed nine runs on 11 hits across two innings of work in the loss.

Along with picking up the win on the mound, Tarry also drove in three runs to pace the Crusaders' offense.

Carson Birk and Jace Boland both had two hits in the win as well for Saxony Lutheran.

For the Indians, Mason Parsley and Kaden McCain drove in the only two runs in the loss.

Puxico finishes its season with a record of 5-11.

Saxony Lutheran (16-5) will take on St. Vincent at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at Harmon Field in Chaffee in the semifinals of the Class 2 District 3 Tournament.

The two teams met on May 5 where Saxony was victorious 7-4.

“We have to keep hitting the ball,” Sander said. “If we do that, we have a good shot.”