BATTLE FOR THE NORTH TOURNAMENT
#7 Salem 6 vs #5 The Slog 2
The Witch Hats scored four runs in the top of the 1st on their way to eliminating their BL rival. Dan Ackerman was the hero for the Hats, going 2 for 4 with a three-run home run in the 1st, a walk, a run, and three RBI. Mike Castillo was 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and two RBI. Tony Edgewater and Lernz Tentsleep both went deep. It was the fourth-straight game with a home run for Tentsleep.
#7 Salem 4 vs #3 Abernathy 2
The Witch Hats managed a second upset on the day, preventing an all-IL championship in the Battle for the North Tournament. Salem started the scoring by notching three in the top of the 2nd. Roberto Gonzales pitched 5.0 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits with three strikeouts. Three relievers finished the game, allowing just one run in the 9th inning on Po Greenzone's RBI double. Antonio Toeclaw led the Salem hitters, going 2 for 4 with a run and two RBI. Four Hats had a double for all of their team's extra-base hits of their 11 total.
BATTLE FOR THE SOUTH TOURNAMENT
#12 Sunshine Tidings 3 vs #4 Diamond City 4, 13 inn.
The Swatters used the bat of seldom-used outfielder Grant Mercenary to finally rid the Battle of the South of the 12th-seeded team. Mercenary hit a walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the 13th off Ben Soldierman to place Diamond City in the Final Three in the four-hour, 18-minute affair. Wally Warwick and Danny Suarez each hit solo home runs in the bottom of the 8th to give the Swatters a 3-2 lead at the time. Josh Noob was 2 for 3 for the Chemists, both doubles, with an RBI. DC's Tim Fusion allowed two earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts in 8.0 innings.
#3 Diamond City 6 vs #10 Finch Farm 5
The tired Swatters did not look it to start the game, jumping up 2-0 in the 1st inning and 6-1 in the top of the 2nd in holding off a late surge by the Four Leafs. The win places Diamond City in the championship round versus host Goodneighbor tomorrow. Wally Warwick was 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI. Witcher Craft and Allen Bishop each scored twice for the Swatters. Peter Tatoeater and Caleb Cavedoor each homered for Finch Farm. Uncle Abe Feddersen came on in relief to save the game after the Four Leafs knocked out Tyler Powers with no outs and a run allowed in the 9th.