Storms Orthodontics got its home baseball slate off to an exciting start Wednesday afternoon.
American Legion Siloam Post 29's baseball team rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to knock off Russellville 7-6 in game one of a doubleheader at James Butts Baseball Park.
Storms then came from behind in game two, rallying from a 4-0 hole in the first inning to win 8-7 to complete the doubleheader sweep.
Siloam Springs used a mix of old and current players to earn the victory in game one.
Chance Junkermann, a SSHS All-Conference player from 2014-17, hit a game-tying two-run double in the bottom of the seventh to knot the score 6-6 in game one. Junkermann then scored the winning run on an RBI double to left by current player Chance Hilburn.
"It's a great win," said Storms coach Alan Hardcastle. "It's nice to have some players come back and some guys that are still in the program mixed together and still playing. I tell you it was a great comeback, scored four in the bottom of the seventh to win it."
Storms trailed 6-3 going into the bottom of the seventh.
Caleb Wallace, who plays at Gravette, got the rally started with a walk. After brother Dallas Wallace flew out to right field, Tanner Broyles smacked an RBI double down the right field line to score Caleb Wallace to make it 6-4.
Elijah Coffey walked and both he and Broyles scored on Junkermann's game-tying double to right-center field.
Hilburn, the next hitter, laced a Brayden Whitford pitch, down the left field line for the game-winner.
"It finally seemed like for the first time this year -- it doesn't happen very often -- we get balls down the left field and right field line and we can advance two bases," Hardcastle said. "It's a lot of fun when you hit the ball down the line. Then Chance came through, both Hilburn and Junkermann."
Junkermann started the game on the mound for Storms. He gave up two runs in the first inning, three in the third, and one in the fourth. Broyles relieved Junkermann in the fifth and pitched three scoreless innings to get the win.
"He came in and threw strikes," Hardcastle said of Broyles. "His curve ball was working really good. Defense played good behind him, didn't walk any batters. He did a great job coming in."
Trey Hardcastle, courtesy running for Junkermann in the first inning, scored on a bases-loaded walk to score Storms' first run.
Hilburn and Colin Evers each had RBIs in the third inning.
In game two, Storms received timely hitting from Dawson Armstrong and Trey Hardcastle, which drove in the winning run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hilburn, Junkermann and Colin Evers also had important RBIs according to Alan Hardcastle.
Landon Ellis struck out the side in the top of the fifth inning to close out the game.
Storms will have its official American Legion opening ceremonies before its 6 p.m. game this upcoming Wednesday against Fort Smith.
"We're excited," Hardcastle said. "Good things are still to come for Siloam Springs baseball. We're proud to be out here. We're happy to be out here playing, and it was a good time today."
Sports on 06/10/2018