FSB Seniors open tourney with 2 wins

LINCOLN - The Fremont First State Bank Senior Legion baseball team swept the opening day of play in the Mike Peterson Tournament Friday beating Ideal Images (Omaha Burke) 10-1 and Kearney 9-6.

With five games guaranteed in the 20-team tournament, a team with a deep pitching staff has an advantage.

FSB used only three pitchers Friday. Warren Drucker allowed just six hits and walked three batters while striking out seven in Fremont’s win over Ideal Images.

"Warren threw a good ball game. When he got ahead he was very good, and pitched out of several jams," FSB head coach Tim Champ said.

Michael Hahn allowed six earned runs on 14 hits with no walks and one K to pace Fremont in the win over Kearney. Justin Beranek pitched the seventh with two walks and two Ks for the save.

Fremont only led 1-0 through three but exploded for eight runs in the fourth.

"We had a huge inning there in the fourth," Champ said. "Dom Savio got things rolling with a great drag bunt and then everyone in the lineup seemed to get a clutch hit with runners on base."

Josh Ostrom led the team at the plate going 3 for 3 with two doubles and two runs scored. Taylor Patrick drove in two runs going 2 for 4 with a double. Beranek’s lone hit was a three-run triple.

FSB had to battle back in the second game. Each team led twice in the game with Fremont pulling ahead late and holding on for the win.

Kearney led 4-2 after they batted in the top of the fourth but Fremont put three runs on the scoreboard to lead 5-4 after four complete. Kearney regained the lead in the top of the fifth 6-5 and then FSB scored four in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead for good 9-6.

"I really liked the way we battled back after being down this game," Champ said. "Both offensively and on the mound we did what needed to be done to comeback."

Ostrom plated two runners going 2 for 3 from the plate with a double. Hahn also drove in a run with a single and Drucker ended the game 2 for 3 from the plate.

"It is difficult to pick out one guy that had a big game. It seemed that everytime we needed a big hit somebody stepped up and delivered. Top to bottom every guy in our line-up contributed with outstanding at bats."

Saturday morning FSB takes on Pinnacle Bank at 9:30 and follows with a game against Wichita, Kan., at Noon.

First State Bank 010 81 - 10 10 0

Ideal Images 000 01 - 1 6 1

Kearney 102 120 0 - 6 14 1

First State Bank 002 340 x - 9 8 2