The Broken Bow American Legion Seniors baseball team concluded play at the American Legion Baseball Centennial Classic in Milbank, South Dakota on Saturday. The tournament was being played in celebration of the 100th anniversary of American Legion baseball. Broken Bow was serving as the Nebraska representative in the four-team tournament which also included teams from North Dakota, Minnesota, and the host team Milbank. After shutting out Milbank on Friday in the opening round, Broken Bow faced Minnesota in the winner’s bracket Saturday afternoon. The game went back and forth with Broken Bow out hitting Minnesota 12-6 but, in the end, Minnesota was able to pull out a 6-5 win. The game was tied 3-3 after four innings. After Minnesota scored a run in the fifth to take the lead, Broken Bow answered with two runs in the sixth to take the lead back. However, Minnesota scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth and held on for the win. Max Denson was 4 for 5 at the plate with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI. Brice Chaplin and Logan Bell also had multi-hit games. Chaplin was 2 for 5 with an RBI and Bell was 2 for 4.
The loss dropped Bow to the elimination bracket where they faced North Dakota for the opportunity to come back and face Minnesota for the championship on Sunday. The game turned into a pitcher’s duel. Broken Bow scored twice in their first at bat but never scored again. Kayden Record started on the mound for the Bow seniors and was outstanding going six full innings giving up just one run on five hits. However, North Dakota scored two unearned runs in the top of the seventh off Dominic Nowak to take the lead and held on for a 3-2 win. Broken Bow had just three hits in the game. Kayden Record was 1 for 3 driving in both Broken Bow runs.
