TORRINGTON – The Torrington Tigers ‘A’ Legion team punched their ticket to the state tournament in Powell after defeating the Wheatland Lobos in both games of a home double header in the eastern district playoffs on July 20.

A thunderstorm threatened the playoffs on Saturday, drenching the playing field twice. Determined to continue the games, a huge effort by the Tigers’ coaches and players, along with Abe Correa, the American Legion baseball board president, made the fields playable again.

The first game between Torrington and Wheatland came down to the wire. Wheatland posted a 3-0 lead in the first inning before a tenacious Tiger defense closed rank and shut out the Lobos from scoring for the remainder of the game. 

The Torrington offense turned the tables in the third inning to capture the lead, 4-3. An additional run by the Tigers in the bottom of the fifth inning clinched Torrington’s victory, 5-3.

The Tigers roared onto the field in the second game to overwhelm Wheatland, 12-2.

The Legion ‘A’ state tournament takes place in Powell from July 27-31.

Game 1

Wheatland took the initiative early with three runs in the top of the first inning to establish a 3-0 lead.

Battling back, Torrington edged up with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ayden Desmond hit a single, driving in Drew Kramer and Landre Greiman.

Torrington’s fielders shut out Wheatland in the second inning. Kramer fielded a fly ball in right field for the first out. Bryce Hager, at shortstop, fielded a grounder and passed the ball to Ryan Moorehouse on second base. Moorehouse completed the double play, delivering the ball to first baseman Caleb Kelly.

The Tigers defense prevented Wheatland from scoring in the top of the third inning while Torrington took control of the scoreboard, 4-3, with two runs in the bottom of the third. 

Bryce Hager scored on a wild pitch. Moorehouse hit a grounder and reached second base on an error for one RBI.

Torrington’s unyielding defense maintained the pressure in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings as the Lobos made an unsuccessful effort to score. Leftie pitcher Mac Hibben struck out three batters in the top of the fourth inning and two in the sixth. 

The Tigers widened their lead, 5-3, with a decisive run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hibben singled and reached second base. Moorehouse followed with a single, driving in Hibben.

The Torrington defense once again shut out Wheatland in the top of the seventh inning. Moorehouse fielded a fly ball at second base. Hibben struck out one and Desmond, playing relief, also struck out one to secure the win. 

The Tigers totaled eight hits against Wheatland, including two apiece by Hibben and Moorehouse and one each from Kramer, Greiman, Desmond and Grady Shields.

Hibben pitched for the Tigers through 6.2 innings, striking out 10. Desmond played relief, striking out one.

Game 2

Wheatland found itself up, 2-0, following two runs in the top of the first inning.

Undaunted, Torrington responded with two runs in the bottom of the first to tie the game, 2-2. Kramer and Greiman both drew walks. A sacrifice grounder by Bryce Hager drove in Kramer while a triple by Hibben allowed Greiman to reach home plate.

A gritty defense by the Tigers shut out Wheatland in the second and third innings. Desmond played pitcher for Torrington and struck out two in both innings. The leftie pitcher also fielded one grounder apiece in the second and third.

The Tigers offense dominated the third inning, scoring seven runs to pull Torrington into the lead, 9-2. A single by Shields drove in Desmond and Bryce Hager. Moorehouse singled for one RBI. 

Shields scored on a passed ball while Garrett Hager and Greiman drew walks. Desmond singled to drive in Garrett Hager and Greiman.

On defense, Desmond struck out two in the top of the fourth and Hibben fielded a fly ball, resulting in a scoreless inning for the Lobos.

Torrington widened its lead to 10-2 in the bottom of the fourth when Moorehouse singled to drive in Hibben.

An ironclad defense by the Tigers prevented the Lobos from scoring in the top of the fifth. Desmond struck out one, Moorehouse fielded a grounder and Kramer caught a fly ball in center field.

Two runs by the Tigers in the bottom of the fifth sealed the win for Torrington. Kramer doubled to reach second base while Greiman hit a grounder and advanced to first base on an error.

Stepping up to bat, Desmond smashed a single into the field, driving in Kramer and Greiman.

Overall, Torrington collected nine hits in the second game. Desmond set the pace for the Tigers with two hits for four RBI. Moorehouse posted two hits for two RBI, while a single by Shields drove in two. Hibben tallied two hits while Kramer and Garrett Hager each collected one.

Desmond pitched for the Tigers over five innings, striking out nine.