Tropics strike big, routing Indiana in high-scoring World Series pool conclusion

The perfect ending to a strong phase of pool play for the Tropics saw a nine-run second inning give way to a lopsided 13-5 victory against Indiana.

Playing from two runs down after the first inning, the Tropics came out in the bottom of the second and scored eight runs on just one out, finishing with nine and adding insurance markers in the third, fourth and fifth innings to seal the deal.

The win continued a streak for the Southeast Tropics, now having won three games in three days and entering bracket play with a strong 3-1 record in the 2023 Babe Ruth League World Series.

“After dropping that first game, it would’ve been easy to kind of hang our heads,” Tropics manager Dustin Schwartz said. “But ever since the last inning of that game, we’ve kind of caught some momentum and we just keep carrying it, day after day. We got a long ways to go, but I'm very happy with the way our guys are playing.”

Trey Benthal of the Tropics earned the win, exiting with two outs in the fourth inning after surrendering eight hits, one walk and five earned runs.

Drew Klipfel filled in for Benthal, pitching the next 2.1 innings and surrendering just one hit without earning a run before Mason Adams closed the game out with a perfect seventh inning.

Leading the charge offensively for the Tropics, Adams and Aaron Dunlap both tallied three hits, with Adams driving in two runs and Dunlap another. Benthal’s bases-clearing triple scored three runs, tying him for the team lead in RBIs with Lukas Barnes, who notched a hit and a base on balls.

The Tropics eclipsed the 10-run mark for the third time in as many games, having scored a total of 35 runs since their tournament-opening loss to the Alabama Rawdogs.

“Bats are staying hot and guys are really taking good approaches and working counts,” Schwartz said. “Guys are working counts. We're obviously seeing pitches well to get to counts like that and keep putting the ball in play and finally either win the at-bat with a walk or a hit.”

Southeast's Trey Benthal hits the "salt shaker" celebration at third base after hitting a three-run triple in the bottom of the second during an August 17, 2023 matchup between the Southeast Tropics and Highland of Indiana. Southeast won, 13-5, to improve to 3-1 in pool play.Cole Lee ~ clee@semoball.com

After receiving a forfeit win against Alabama in what was initially a 5-0 loss, Indiana entered the game listed at 3-0 and dropped a contest that could have seen the team take the top spot in pool play, instead dropping to 3-1 and a spot below the Tropics, who await the result of a contest between Alabama and Washington on Thursday at 5 p.m.

With a near-perfect record in their pool and sitting at the top of the pool standings going into Thursday night’s action, the Tropics remain in good standings and continue to be one of the top teams entering bracket play.

With a bye into the quarterfinals, the Tropics look to continue their hot streak this weekend in search of a Babe Ruth League World Series championship.

Southeast's Trey Miller walks through the dugout after recording an infield single during an August 17, 2023 matchup between the Southeast Tropics and Highland of Indiana. Southeast won, 13-5, to improve to 3-1 in pool play.Cole Lee ~ clee@semoball.com

“We’ve just gotta keep getting better every day,” Schwartz said. “Every game, we gotta get better. Lucky for us, our bats came alive and it's putting us in a very good spot pitching-wise. The pitching setup is great, but we’ve got to keep hitting and playing defense.”