TORRINGTON– Torrington’s young Legion ‘C’ baseball team rose to the occasion to field a squad for the ‘B’ state tournament hosted by Torrington at the Dean Bullock Field from July 25-28.

A majority of the athletes who stepped up from the ‘C’ to the ‘B’ division for the weekend are still in middle school and played teams with primarily high-school aged rosters.

The Tigers fell to the Casper Wildcatters, 14-0, in the first game of the tournament and came up short against Cheyenne, 17-3, in Saturday morning’s elimination game.

Despite the outcome of the games, the Tigers played with grit against considerably older, more experienced and far lager opponents (several Casper players were almost twice the size of the Tigers on the field). Torrington demonstrated tenacity down to the final inning in both games and the Tigers played with sportsmanship and positivity throughout situations that were less than favorable.

The season ended for Torrington’s ‘B’ team on Saturday, but the athletes made solid plays and gained significant experience against tough teams that the Tigers can bring to the field in 2025.

Game 1 – Casper

The Wildcatters offense pulled up, 7-0, with two runs in the bottom of the first inning and five in the second. 

Torrington’s fielders responded by shutting out Casper in the third inning. James Stienmetz, pitching for the Tigers, fielded a pop ball. Marek Nunnes caught a fly ball deep in left field before Casper grounded out to Asher Mattis at shortstop.

Casper widened its lead with seven runs in the fourth inning.

Torrington tallied two hits against Casper – one apiece by Stienmetz and Barrett Bruch.

Stienmetz pitched all four innings for the Tigers.

Game 2 – Cheyenne

Cheyenne found itself ahead, 11-0, by the end of the second inning. 

Determined to keep fighting, Torrington responded with runs in the bottom of the third and fourth innings. In the third inning, Brody Shields grounded into a fielder’s choice, driving in Nunnes. 

Bruch singled in the bottom of the fourth to drive in Skylen Teague. Ebin Hunter scored a run when Cheyenne’s pitcher balked.

The Tigers defense closed ranks in the top of the fifth inning to shut out Cheyenne. Kane Correa, pitching relief for Torrington, struck out two. Mattis fielded a grounder at first base.

Torrington posted five hits against Cheyenne. Correa and Bruch set the pace for the Tigers with two hits apiece. Stienmetz added one hit to the tally.

On the mound, Nunnes opened as pitcher for the Tigers, striking out one. Bruch, Shields and Correa played relief. Bruch struck out three while Correa posted two strikeouts.