South Salem struggled offensively for a second straight game, while Greenwich, Connecticut recorded runs in four straight innings—defeating the Saxons 7-1 in pool play at the Cal Ripken World Series in Branson, Missouri. The loss dropped the Saxons to 1-2, while Connecticut improved to 2-1.
Both teams shutdown offensive threats from the other in the first inning, but Connecticut used aggressive base-running to help power their game, stealing 12 total bases.
Kellen Bowman pitched two innings in the start for South Salem. He struck out five on three hits, while yielding two runs in the second inning. Joel Sikel, Ben Otjen, and Jimmy Ordaz Jr. each contributed in relief for the Saxons.
Liam Zeller started on the mound for Greenwich, going two 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits, while striking out four. South Salem managed just four hits in the entire game.
Heat and high humidity were a factor in the game, but Saxons Manager Mike Sidwell wasn’t making excuses for his team.
“We played a good team,” he said. “When we hit the ball hard, they made great plays.”
Sam Mosar led South Salem offensively with two hits in three plate appearances. Mosar scored the Saxons’ only run in the fourth inning on a single by Otjen.
South Salem plays its final pool game tomorrow at 12:00 noon PT against Arkansas State Champion Paragould, AR.