Vandalia streaks to Kelso title

KELSO --Vandalia (Ill.) Freight ended the 22nd annual Kelso Klassic much better than it started.

After opening the fast-pitch softball tournament with a 2-1 loss to the Memphis Posse, Vandalia stormed back with eight straight victories to win the title.

Six of the victories came on Sunday, including a pair of wins over Nokomis (Ill.) Bud Light in the championship games. Vandalia, which needed two wins over Nokomis, forced the second game with a 2-1 victory. Vandalia then won the title with an 11-0, five-inning victory.

Vandalia banged out 14 hits in the final game, including six hits in an eight-run fourth that broke the game open.

Tournament MVP Bob Nagel went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the clinching victory. For the tournament, Nagel set a tournament record with 15 hits. Nagel was 15 of 29 with 10 RBIs.

Vandalia's Alan Meinhart allowed just one hit in the decisive game and was the selected the MVP pitcher. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Meinhart went 4-1 in the tournament, which included the win over Nokomis in the first championship game.

Vandalia, the defending ASA Class B national champions, started its winning streak Saturday with a 10-3 win over Kelso Fast-pitch. The victory was followed by a 12-1 thrashing of the Memphis Poman.

Vandalia resumed its drive on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over JAMCO of Kelso. A 10-6 victory over Graff Pepsi of Brookfield, Mo., ensued. Vandalia then avenged its opening loss to the Memphis Posse with a 3-1 victory to reach the loser's bracket final, where it beat T-Town of Teutopolis, Ill., 9-5.