Rangers to host South District tourney

Richard Anderson photo
Laramie shortstop Skyler Joy watches the flight of the ball during a recent home game.

By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org

There’s no free trips to state this year for the state‘s AA and some A American Legion baseball teams.

For the first time in a while, teams will have to earn its way to next week’s state tournament in Rock Springs.

The top four teams from the two district tournaments -- the North in Casper and the South in Laramie -- will move on. The AA and A levels have combined for one state tournament this year, resulting in a true eight-team field.

“I think it is going to get the best teams in the state, the teams that should be there,” Rangers AA manager Sean McKinney said of next week‘s state field. “This is the way a playoff format is to get into any other tournament. I think it is going to be competitive. I think it is going to be good for the game of baseball and I’m excited that we get to host.”

Along with the Rangers, teams competing at Cowboy Field Thursday through Saturday include Cheyenne Post 6, Wheatland, Riverton, Evanston, Rock Springs, Torrington and Green River.
The North teams include Casper, Cody, Sheridan, Gillette, Powell, Douglas and Lovell. Jackson dropped out of the tournament earlier this week.

While the idea of combing the AA and A teams for one tournament this season has been somewhat controversial, McKinney said the fact that it is a truer tournament makes it special.

“The kids aren’t just given the state tournament, they have to earn it,” he said. “I think that will play a big role in how they prepare and how they compete. The best teams are going to be there and the best team is going to win it.”

Not only will the teams have to win to keep playing, McKinney said the teams year are very well matched. When teams are matched up well, he said anything can happen.

“I think that will bring the competitiveness of baseball here,” he said. “With the way this district tournament is set up, you’re going to find out who the top teams are and those top eight teams will play for the championship.”

The Rangers, 23-13, host Riverton in the day’s final game at 7 p.m.

McKinney said his team had a good week of practice and playing in four straight weekends of tournaments this season prepares them for what he hopes is at least two straight weeks of tournament play.

“We’ve already done that this year and there will be some teams that we haven’t played this year,” McKinney said. “I think the way that we have prepared for those tournaments, you are going to play teams that you have never seen before. It is not going to be foreign to us. We haven’t seen Riverton yet, so we don’t know everything about them, and that is the way these tournaments have been.”

The Raiders are 30-10 this season and the second seed from the Southwest quadrant.

“They are a good ball club,” McKinney said. “They have had a good year with a good record. They are going to be tough. We’re going to play that game like it is game seven of the World Series). We want to win that first game and get into that winner’s bracket. I’m sure they are too.”

With that in mind, McKinney said they will stick with their No. 1 starting pitcher, Coley Wilson, in the opener. Wilson is 7-6 on the season with an 2.80 earned run average. Also for the Rangers, Nolan Carter is 6-1 with a 2.91 ERA and Jordan Rhodine is 5-2 with a 5.67 ERA.

“Coley has started off every tournament and he has been our No. 1 guy all year,” McKinney said. “I think he is comfortable in that role and we don’t want to change anything. I don’t want to change his mindset or our team’s mindset.”

Offensively, the Ranger are hitting .342 as a team, with second baseman Rylan Harding leading the way at .448 and a team-high 52 hits. Wilson is hitting .406, followed by Rhodine at .369 and a team-high 45 RBI, Skyler Joy at .359, Jon Sorenson at .348 and Carter at .322 and a team-leading six home runs.

If the Rangers get past Riverton, they will face the winner of the Post 6-Evanston game.

“Cheyenne is tough and (manager) Tagg (Lain) has done such a great job with them,” McKinney said. “The state championship has to go through Cheyenne. I think anyone can beat anyone on any given day. The way the bracket is set up, you’re going to have to beat every one. You’re going to have to get through it and there will be some tough games.”

The district tournament is essentially the third tournament for the season for the Rangers, who hosted the Dooley Oil Classic and Firecracker Invitational earlier on consecutive weekends.

As always, the more the merrier, according to McKinney.
　
“Anytime you can play on your home field, it is good for the kids,” he said. “I love Cowboy Field. I think it is a great field and a great setting. I’m excited for those seven teams to come here. This venue is a great place to be, a great place to play. We have a lot of help. It should be a real fun tournament. It should be competitive. It’s going to be neat.”