By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Pittsburg Post 64 American Legion baseball manager Mike Watt is sure about one thing when it comes to this week’s Kansas Class AAA Championships.
“It’s very important to stay in the winners’ bracket,” Watt said Thursday.
The other managers and coaches with ballclubs in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament have the same thought, of course, after considering the heat and possible innings for a loser after the first round.
Pittsburg (26-10) and Buhler (24-17) are scheduled to cap the opening session at 8 tonight.
The tourney opens at 11 a.m. today with Lawrence meeting Blue Valley Northwest.
Completing the first round are Arkansas City vs. Olathe South at 2 p.m. and Andover vs. Hays at 5 p.m.
Salina, which didn’t make the field, defeated Lawrence for the title in 2007. Pittsburg, which lost twice to Lawrence, finished third.
Watt, who’s assisted by Kyle Wolf, said right-hander Drew Beasley, who’ll be a sophomore at Fort Scott Community College, will open on the mound against Buhler.
“Drew has thrown very well all summer,” Watt said. “He’s been consistent. We expect him to keep us in the game.”
Win or lose, Watt said, right-hander Brandon Spear probably will start on the hill for Post 64 in its second game.
But Watt indicated the Post 64 strategy might call for Spear to work in relief in Game 1.
The probable Pittsburg batting order is center fielder Joe Wachter, catcher Kenny Wachter, first baseman Willie Watt, shortstop Jesse Watt, third baseman Adam McCormick, left fielder Tanner Smith, designated hitter Shane Drenick, second baseman Tyler Bennett and right fielder Zach White.
Mike Watt said the starting lineup might change if Joe Wachter isn’t recovered from a wrist injury.
Completing the tourney roster are Nate Arnold, Michael Hayes, Brett Marshall, Austin Ross and Nick Whetzell.
“We’ve played a very difficult schedule this summer,” Mike Watt said. “We’ve faced some outstanding pitchers. I believe that’s why our batting average, as a team, is lower than usual at .303.
“A key for us to be successful is to get our speedy guys on base,” Watt said. “They lead us in runs scored.”
The left-handed batting Jesse Watt paces the team in average (.368) and runs batted in (33) and shares the doubles lead at 8 with brother Willie.
Kenny Wachter and Willie Watt, who has 28 runs scored, are averaging .333 and .321, respectively.
Jesse Watt, McCormick and Smith are tied for the home run lead with three.
Post 64 has swiped 80 bases in 90 attempts. Joe Wachter is 18-of-19, Bennett 17-of-17 and White 14-of-15.
Beasley’s pitching numbers include a 6-1 record, 1.94 earned run average, 37 strikeouts, 15 bases on balls and 47 innings.
Spear, who’s headed for Emporia State, is 6-1 with a 3.61 ERA. He’s struck out 46 and walked 26 in 50 innings.
Jesse Watt and Shane Drenick (Pittsburg State-bound) have respective records of 5-2 and 5-3.
The Pittsburg-Buhler winner is scheduled to play at 7 on Saturday night against the Andover-Hays survivor in a winners’ bracket semifinal.
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Legion state meet opens in Pittsburg
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