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HARTINGTON — The Hartington Post 4 Legion Juniors knocked Wakefield out of the tournament Sunday.
Both teams featurd Laurel players on their rosters. Drey Puppe is on the Hartington squad, while Tanner and Turner Thompson play for Wakefield.
Hartingon was just one win away from a trip to this weekend’s Nebraska Class C Junior American Legion Tournament in Malcolm after three wins to open up the Area Tournament being played at Felber Park.
Hartington opened the Area 1 tournament with a tight 3-2 win over Ponca then blasted Creighton and the Wakefield Post 81 Bullsnakes 16-1 and 13-2 to earn a trip to the finals on July 15.
Hartington and Plainview played Tuesday. Since Hartington entered the game undefeated, Plainview needed to beat Hartington twice to earn the trip to State.
In the win over the Bullsnakes, Post 4 exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning after leading 6-1 after three.
Hartington used five walks, three hits and a hit batsman to plate seven runs in the frame.
Sam Wiebelhaus and Hudson Whitmire singled and Micah Cattau rifled a double into left field to pace the attack.
Cattau earned the win on the mound allowing five hits, the two runs, two walks while striking out six Wakefield batters.
In Hartington’s win over Creighton, Drey Puppe registered two RBI’s on the night to help lead the offense. Puppe showed his strength and speed with a triple in the contest.
Puppe also came on in relief to close out the game for the Post 4 Junior team.
This year’s Class C state tournament is set for July 19-23 at Malcolm.
Hartington def. Wakefield 13-2. WAK00101XX-251 HAR1237XXX-1370
