By Anvil Welch
Globe Sports Writer
CARTHAGE, Mo. —
Carthage, although it went 0-2, didn’t play eventual runner-up Festus Post 253 in the 2008 Missouri American Legion AAA state finals.
But tonight at 8:30 the teams are scheduled to clash in the first round of the four-team, double-elimination event at Liberty Park in Sedalia.
Festus is coming off a remarkable season for Pat Bone. The 2009 edition won state, a regional title and went 1-2 in the Legion World Series at Fargo, N.D.
“We’ve been hearing they aren’t as good as last season,” Carthage coach James Kinder said with a laugh. “But they have to be an outstanding team. ... absolutely. We also don’t know anything about Festus.
“Our guys want to win a game after finishing 0-2 (losing to Blue Springs Rod’s Sports and Apparel A’s and Columbia) in 2008,” Kinder said. “That’s their goal.”
Carthage’s Merchants, who have a nine-game winning streak, and Festus sport respective records of 31-10 and 24-3.
Today’s 5:30 p.m. opener matches Blue Springs Post 400/Fike (49-6) and Washington Post 218 (26-5).
Blue Springs Post 400/Fike was the last team to qualify for the finals. Post 400/Fike, scoring six runs in the first inning, defeated Raytown 16-0 in seven innings to capture Zone II on Tuesday night.
First-round winners will meet at 1 p.m. on Friday. Losers tangle at 4 with the losers’ final set for 7.
The championship could be decided at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Another game, if necessary, will follow.
Kinder planned to leave Carthage on Wednesday in preparation for a meeting early today. Kinder said that players will head to Sedalia today.
Kinder’s assistants are Jerry Poston (manager), Jason McVey and Cody Dyer. Kinder and the staff have been mulling over the starting pitcher for the first game. Mark Ryan and Tadd Wagner, both right-handers, are the candidates to oppose Festus.
Festus’ Bone indicated that right-hander Ryan Yuengel or left-hander Alex Winkelman, who’ll be a junior at Crystal City High School, will open on the mound against the Merchants.
The probable Carthage batting order:
Center fielder Dalton Cossey, left fielder Seth Beckner, catcher Brian Poston, first baseman Caleb Fierro, Wagner (pitcher or designated hitter), right fielder Ethan Wiggin, third baseman Terrin Garber, shortstop Joe Allan and second baseman Sam Carlton.
Completing the roster are Taylor Bogle, Mark Burgin, Alec Doubet, Jarrett Garber, Luke Gibson, Matt Hart, Levi Snyder and Dalton Stafford.
