Galena tops New Covenant for second straight district title

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CRANE, Mo. — Galena knew exactly what they would get out of New Covenant Academy.

The two had played one of the area’s best games in the regular season, an 8-6 Bears win in 10 innings at U.S. Baseball Park.

Both district champions last season, the teams figured they would meet again being in the same bracket this time around. That meeting came to fruition on Tuesday, ending with a 5-2 Galena win and a second straight Class 2, District 11 title.

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Southwest Baptist commit and All-State utility man Logan Sorrell was a big factor in the Bears’ title last year, which marked the first for the program in nearly three decades. After injuries this fall and rough patches, he stressed how those bruises brought positives this time of year.

“It just makes you better” said Sorrell. “Whether you play a good or bad team, you learn from every mistake. They’re obviously a good team and I respect the Hartleys. It’s just good baseball, I love it.”

He kicked things off in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single into left. That helped starting pitcher Caleb Hall settle in and keep New Covenant off the board for the first three frames.

Hall tossed 6.1 innings with three strikeouts and five walks while giving up two runs on four hits.

“Hall knew what he was doing with the ball every time he stepped out there and we didn’t make mistakes late in the game. That really helped us. You just have to be big and tough.”

The third inning belonged to junior Austin Holt. With one out, he cranked a double of the left fielder to score Lukas Burk. Then, after advancing to third on a fly out, he got under a tag at home while Sorrell was caught in a rundown between first and second, giving Galena a 3-0 lead.

Capitalizing on those types of opportunities had Byron Richardson glowing.

“These guys have worked their tails off all year and I feel like we’re starting to play the best baseball we’ve played all year,” the Bears head coach said.

New Covenant made it a one-run game in the fourth as Timothy Smith and Ryan Rodgers each tallied an RBI. Hall got Noah Phipps to ground out to end the frame and leave the tying run at second.

Caleb Seaman used the fifth inning to move Galena’s advantage back to three runs with a two-run double off Caleb Ferneelius.

Ryan Carmack went 4.1 innings in his start for New Covenant, striking out five and allowing five runs off three hits with four walks.

Galena will meet McCauley Catholic in the Class 2 sectionals on Monday, May 22. After falling in this round in 2016, Richardson believes the experience has them better suiting for a run at the final four.

“This was one of their goals and they’ve put in the work. We had some injuries this fall and dealt with some tough times figuring out who we are. That made us tougher. We’ve played some tough competition and I feel like, in these big situations, it’s made us ready.”

“I don’t think it ever gets easier. That’s what makes it fun. You have to show up and play your best ball and these guys, every time we step on the yard, have a chance to win.”

Galena 5, New Covenant 2
New Covenant 000 200 0 — 2
Galena 102 020 x — 5

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