The old adage it’s hard to beat a team three times in one season proved true Saturday night in Lone Tree. As heard on AM and FM KCII and KCIIRadio.com, the Lions hosted the Class 1A District 9 championship game Saturday versus Southeast Iowa Super Conference foe the Pekin Pathers (18-8 overall). After being swept during the regular season series, Lone Tree bested the Panthers in the final meeting of the season, 3-1.
Lone Tree squared off against Pekin junior pitcher Keaton Winn, who threw a perfect game against Lions on June 1 in Lone Tree. A lead off fielding error helped Lion sophomore Jovonte Squire reach base in the top of the first inning, scoring later in the frame on a passed ball for an early 1-0 advantage.
The scored stayed the same until the third inning when the Lions turned a lead off walk by senior Nick Viner into another run on a sacrifice fly by Ty Schillerstrom, extending the lead to 2-0. Lone Tree’s final run scored an inning later after a lead off double by Erik Murry turned into another run on a suicide squeeze by Jake Viner, pushing the lead to 3-0 after three and a half innings.
Pekin’s lone run came in the bottom of the fifth when senior Cole Reighard hit into a fielders choice, scoring sophomore Keaton Baayen to cut the deficit to 3-1. The final two innings were scoreless, making the final score 3-1.
Lone Tree sophomore Ross Swinton earns his third win of the season, throwing 4 and one third innings, allowing one run, on one hit, walking three batters and striking out six. Winn takes the loss, his second of the season, after allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits, walking two and striking out 11 in seven innings of work.
Lone Tree improved to 16-1 when scoring three or more runs, and 18-9 overall.
The victory helps the Lions capture the Class 1A District 9 championship, and will face the Van Buren Warriors (28-0) on tomorrow evening in Fairfield. Live play by play coverage from Fairfield Middle School begins with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. on AM and FM KCII and KCIIRadio.com.