By John RittenhouseZach Wysong and the Luverne American Legion baseball team placed second in the Area A Tournament that was completed late last week.The Cardinals came up one run short in the tournament’s championship game against Pipestone Wednesday, July 16, in Luverne.Luverne locked up the second seed in the district by besting Okabena by five runs in Luverne Friday. They’ll play in the Second District American Legion Baseball Tournament in Truman the next two weekends.Wysong, a Hills-Beaver Creek High School student, made positive impacts in both Area A games last week.He recorded a pitching win and drove in a combined five runs with four hits in the games against Pipestone and Okabena.Wysong went the distance on the mound during an 8-3 victory over Okabena Friday.The hurler recorded 11 strikeouts and yielded one earned run during a seven-inning stint on the hill. Wysong also was two-for-four at the plate, driving in one run and scoring another.Wysong, who doubled in a scoreless third inning, helped Luverne break the game open in the bottom of the fourth.Okabena scored its first earned run in the top of the fourth to trail 4-3, but the Cards answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to gain a 7-3 cushion.Wysong drove in the first run of the rally with an RBI single. He scored later in the frame on a wild pitch.Wysong had a great night at the plate during an 8-7 loss to Pipestone Wednesday, July 16.The Cardinals shortstop drove in four runs with two doubles, but it wasn’t enough to keep Luverne from falling to the Arrows in extra innings.Wysong gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead when he doubled after Adam Reisch and Adam Kurtz walked in the bottom of the second.Luverne needed a boost when Pipestone scored twice in the top of the eighth to take a 4-2 lead, and Wysong provided it by slapping a double after Jared Pick and Rob Fodness drew walks to tie the game at four.Pipestone, however, outscored the Cards 4-3 in the ninth inning to win the championship game.Luverne will open the Second District Tournament by taking on Wabasso 6:30 p.m. Friday in Truman.
