It was an impressive way for the Sabetha American Legion Baseball team to start the 2013 State AA Tournament in Pratt.  Sabetha scored in every inning and demolished the host Pratt 11-2 in just five innings on Wednesday night to move into the winners bracket semifinals. 

Graham Howard needed only 72 total pitches for the complete game victory, striking out 9 batters along the way and allowing just three hits.  Offensively, Sabetha took advantage of seven free passes and scored six of thse guys came around to score.  After single tallies in the first two frames, Sabetha went ahead 6-0 in the top of the third by stringing together four consecutive hits, including RBI singles by Blake Popkess and Keegan Schumann.  McKenzie McAfee added an RBI double in the fourth and Nolan Keim chased Pratt starting pitcher, Logan Bertholf, later in the inning with a two-run single to go ahead 9-2.  

Thaine Allen had a hit and scored three runs while Tyler Edelman added a hit and scored twice.  Keim was 2-3 with a run and 3 RBI to earn McDonalds Player of the Game honors, while Schumann finished 2-2 with a run and 2 RBI.  Kyle Stallabuamer scored a pair of runs and McAfee ended up with two batted in as Sabetha scored offense force throughout their lineup in improving to 37-11 on the season.

After defeating Pratt at a state legion tourney for the first time in three tries, Sabetha advances to play Ellis on Thursday night at 8:00 PM in the semifinals.  Ellis (20-7) won the only seven-inning game, 1-0 against Rock Creek, in the opening round.  Defending AA State Legion Champ Iola (38-3) defeated Hays TMP 11-1 while Concordia (23-1) bopped Wellington 10-2.  

Brenden Garrett will start for Sabetha against Ellis Thursday night at 8:00 with live coverage on KNZA 103.9 FM and online at click here to listen. 

Updated 2013 Legion Baseball AA State Tournament Bracket -- click here

Updated 2013 NEK League Legion Standings -- click here