Oskaloosa Heat Bring Home First Tournament Win

Oskaloosa Heat Johnston Tournament 2014 (submitted photo)

by Brandon Schultz

The Oskaloosa Heat 10U USSSA baseball team went to Johnston over the weekend to play in the Mayhem in the Metro tournament hosted by Johnston Little League. Oskaloosa went 3-0 on the weekend and brought home their first tournament win in their short existence. This was the 4th tournament the team has played in, showing improvement throughout the season. The tournament was shortened due to the rain on Saturday but the Heat played 2 pool play games on Sunday and earned the 1st seed which set them up to play the Beaverdale Sliders in the championship game. The game was definitely a nail-biter as the Heat fought back from a 2-4 deficit early on to tie it up after 5 innings at 5-5. Beaverdale then scored 4 runs in the top of the 6th inning leaving the Heat a tough task as they needed to score 4 runs in the bottom of the inning to continue the game. The first 3 batters reached base for the Heat and the next batter hit a 3 RBI triple over the left fielders head and then advanced home on an error to tie the game at 9-9. The Heat got another base runner on from a walk and he stole around to 3rd base before being brought in on a walk-off base hit to right field. The game brought a dramatic end to a wonderful day of baseball.

The Heat will play again this coming weekend at the 5th annual Lacey Longball Classic in Oskaloosa (June 14 & 15).