Spurs unable to move on in State Championship

By Cole Parkinson
Vauxhall Advance

After a hugely successful regular season and North District tournament, the Vauxhall Spurs were back down south this past weekend for the State Championship. The Spurs were back in action on July 31 when they kicked off the tournament with a game against the host Mission Valley Mariners.

From start to finish, it didn’t go the Spurs’ way as they dropped the opening game 11-1. The Spurs put together a clean defensive game but they were unable to pitch their way out of trouble and put up any sort of run support. They amassed two hits in the game as Eric Reiling and Mark Vulcano had a single each. Langdyn Cummins walked twice in the lead-off spot while Parker Mclaughlin and Aidan Maxwell also had a walk each. Brian Fehr got the start for the Spurs on the mound and the pitcher went five innings allowing 10 hits, six earned runs, and a walk while punching out two hitters. Daxton Schrader was the first man called upon from the bullpen and gave the Spurs one inning allowing four hits, four earned runs, a walk, and striking out a pair. Cayden Fehr pitched two-thirds of an inning allowing an earned run on a hit and three walks. Landen Gustafson finished things off getting a single out to close out the inning.

In order to keep their State Championship dream rolling, the Spurs had to beat the Billings Cardinals the following day. The Spurs would jump out in the first inning but the Cardinals would answer right back. It was a back-and-forth game from there but it was the Cardinals who were able to take a lead and hold on as they secured a 6-4 win. Vauxhall put 11 hits on the board as Vulcano, Mclaughlin, and Gustafson each had a pair each. Cummins, Reiling, Landon Howg, Brian Fehr, and Tanner Bullock would all contribute with a hit each. Maxwell was the starting pitcher for the Spurs and went six strong innings with four strikeouts, eight hits allowed, three earned runs, and five walks. Cummins pitched the final inning where he struck out a batter, walked one, and allowed a single hit.

In the end, the Glacier Twins emerged victorious in the State Championship as they won it over the Gallatin Valley Outlaws.