Superior minor-league ends season in tourney

SUPERIOR – The Superior Bobcats came out swinging putting three runs on the board early, but were unable to control the lead against their competitor to finish the game.

The Bobcats minor leaguers were officially eliminated by Thompson Falls in the season ending tournament, 13-11 at home. 

The Bobcats had to play five games against St. Regis, Plains and Trout Creek over the course of the day.

In the first inning, Heath Edison hit a single his first at bat. After Orion Plakke hit a sacrifice towards first base, Edison was able to steal second and then advance to third. 

Seth Richards hit a pop fly to the outfield for the Rockies first out. 

After a single hit by Sage Brummett, Edison scored for the first run of the game, to give Superior a 1-0 lead. 

Carter McLees was next up to bat and was walked by Thompson Falls.  McLees snuck towards second as the bases were loaded.

Ella Clark was the next up to bat and was walked as well. The walk allowed Brummett to advance to home base for another run to put Superior up 2-0. 

The Bobcats followed up the scoring with a strikeout to end the series. 

In the middle of the first, Plakke took the mound to pitch for Superior. The team’s defense held as Clark made the catch in center field for the out. 

Over at third base, Brummett tagged a Thompson Falls hitter after he tried to steal the base, although unsuccessfully. 

At the bottom of the first, Allen Ryan struck out which set up an Edison base hit, followed by a Richards strikeout and a McLees walk. 

At the top of the second, Richards chased down a Thompson Falls hit at second base and threw it to Edison at first base for the quick out. 

The next hitter would hit a double after the Superior outfield couldn’t get the ball to the infield fast enough. 

However, it wouldn’t matter as Plakke struck out two in a row to end the series.

In the middle of the second, Issac Miller got an early walk to first base, not before easily stealing second and third. Before Edison could be out at first, Miller was able to score to put Superior up 3-0. 

Plakke got a double after a hit to center field, although no other runners were batted in.

In the bottom of the second, Thompson Falls was able to make a run as Superior allowed two in. This led to a pitching change as Brummett took over for Plakke on the mound. 

Superior would keep scoring the rest of the game, but slowed down defensively as Thompson Falls was able to drive in 13 by the end of the fifth. 

Superior was only down five with one last chance to make a run and catch their competitors. 

Although the Rockies were able to earn three runs, it wasn’t enough to win the game. Superior would go down late 13-11 and be eliminated from the tournament. 

Superior Bobcats Assistant Coach Shawn Plakke said he appreciated the help of the city council for allowing the league to upgrade the baseball fields in Superior. 

The Bobcats are part of the Clark Fork Valley Minors Division, which play a six-week season beginning at the end of April. The single day tournament on Saturday, May 31 marked the end of the season. 

The Clark Fork Valley Majors Superior squad will close out their season in similar fashion playing a tournament in Plains on June 7. 

After, an all-star game will be played at a later date for both minors and majors players.