The Siloam Springs 8-year-old Maroon team advanced to the semifinals of the Cal Ripken 8-year-old North Arkansas State Tournament on Sunday before bowing out with a 9-2 loss to Batesville.
For Maroon, it was the team's second loss to Batesville in the tournament as Batesville defeated Maroon 12-5 on Saturday.
"Batesville had a really good program," said Maroon coach Marc Hawbaker.
Batesville went on to lose to Mountain Home 9-8 in the 8-year-old championship game later on Sunday.
Overall, Maroon went 3-2 in the tournament and finished postseason play with a record of 9-2. Maroon opened the tournament with an 11-6 win against Paragould before losing to Batesville 12-5 in pool play.
Maroon then beat NEA East 10-3 in pool play before beating Rogers 11-9 Sunday in the quarterfinals to set up the rematch with Batesville.
The Maroon and 8-year-old Gray team and 7-year-old team competing in the tournament were composed of all-stars from nine teams from the 7/8-year-old city league in Siloam Springs.
"At 8 years old, we're trying to start something and build them up," Hawbaker said. "It's really about just getting better every year and see if we can't progress."
The Gray team went 0-3 overall, losing to Osceola 13-3, dropping a 14-5 loss to NEA East and an 18-0 decision to Jonesboro.
The Siloam Springs 7-year-olds lost to Paragould 3-0 before beating Jonesboro 6s, 5-2. The 7-year-olds lost to Madison County 8-1 in bracket play.
Tri County defeated NEA Central 13-5 in the 7-year-old championship.
• • •
The Siloam Springs 15-year-olds travel to Harrison this weekend for the North Arkansas Babe Ruth State Tournament.
The team, coached by Hawbaker, will be the host for the Southwest Regional Tournament in late July. However, Hawbaker said the team wants to have a good showing in the state tournament.
Hawbaker said the team's confidence is high after a runner-up finish in the recent the USSSA State Tournament.
The 15s are the defending state Babe Ruth champions and finished runner-up in the Southwest Regional a year ago.
The tournament this weekend in Harrison begins Friday at noon.
• • •
The Siloam Springs 10-year-old All-Stars went 2-2 at their state tournament held in Paragould. The 10s lost to Tri County 8-0 in the quarterfinals.
• • •
Siloam Springs Youth Baseball president Mike Williamson said there were record crowds at the ballpark this past weekend for the state tournaments.
Williamson estimated the tournaments brought in around $13,000 in gate money, another $7,000 in concessions and SSYB also gets a percentage of T-shirt and picture sales from vendors.
All proceeds go into improvements at the baseball complex and equipment for the kids in the future, Williamson said.
"Very pleased," Williamson said. "Hosting tournaments this size helps our city's economy by filling our hotels and restaurants all weekend."
Sports on 07/09/2014