Zephyrs put an end to losing streak

Published: Saturday, June 20, 2009 1:17 AM CDT

ALLIANCE — The WESTCO Zephyrs senior legion baseball team put an end to its six-game losing streak in a big way on Friday in the opening day of the Clair Conley Tournament in Alliance.

The Zephyrs pounded out a pair of wins over Chadron and Hot Springs, S.D. In the first game, the Zephyrs ignited for nine runs in the first inning en route to cruising to a 10-2 win against Chadron. WESTCO followed that up by registering a 6-3 win over Hot Springs.

“It was a couple good wins for us today,” Zephyrs coach Mark Moran said. “We were really good offensively in the Chadron game against a good pitcher. We had some good swings early in the game and were able to get the lead. That was a big key.”

Against Chadron, the Zephyrs pounded out nine hits. Zac Rada led the way offensively by going 2-for-2 with a double and two runs batted in. Seven other Zephyrs registered hits in the game. WESTCO totaled five extra-base hits.

Brian Colburn had a double and drove in a pair of runs, while Jackson Pahlke and Michael Hoppes both scored two runs. Hoppes also finished with a triple. Garrett Deeds and Tyler Patrick each had doubles.

Trevor Papczun earned the win on the mound. He allowed just one earned run and scattered seven hits. Papczun also struck out two in improving to 3-1 on the season.

Jonn McLain took the loss for Chadron. He allowed six earned runs on six hits in a third of an inning.

McLain had a double.

Trailing 2-1 early in game two against Hot Springs, the Zephyrs scored four times in the bottom of the third to take a 5-2 lead. Both teams plated a run each in the fifth to round out the scoring.

Nate Goodwin struck out four and allowed just two earned runs in five innings to pick up the win. Joe Huck struck out two in two innings of work to get the save.

Offensively, Hoppes went 2-for-4 to lead the Zephyrs at the plate. Chase Wickard drove in two runs and finished with two stolen bases, while Rada scored a pair of runs.

Both teams finished with six hits each.

“We had good pitching all day long,” Moran said. “Offensively, we had good pitches to hit and put good swings on them. We just had a good day at the plate and hopefully we can build off this.”

The Zephyrs, who have won the tournament four of the last five years, will take on Hershland on Sunday at noon. A win would put WESTCO in the championship game Sunday evening.

Game One

Zephyrs 901 00 — 10 9 1

Chadron 010 01 — 2 7 4

WP — Trevor Papczun (3-1); LP — Jonn McLain.

3B — Michael Hoppes. 2B — Garrett Deeds, Zac Rada, Brian Colburn, Tyler Patrick, McLain.

Game Two

Hot Springs 200 010 0 — 3 6 4

Zephyrs (7-15) 104 010 x — 6 6 2

WP — Nate Goodwin (2-3); LP — Housely; S — Joe Huck (1).