Western 12U All-Stars narrowly miss the Cal Ripken World Series

The Owensboro Western All-Stars narrowly lost 7-2 to Rosemoor, IL on Sunday, narrowly missing a chance to advance to the Cal Ripken World Series. Western won the state tournament earlier this month and won its first three games at the regional tournament in Terra Haute, IN, before suffering the loss.

The all-star team began playing together on June 24 and has compiled an 11-1 record, district and state titles, and a regional semifinal appearance. The regional tournament featured teams from Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana.

The game was tied 6-6 when Rosemoor hit a home run over the center field fence in the fifth inning that ultimately led to the victory. Head coach Mike Watson said he was incredibly proud of the team and its accomplishments despite the loss.

“The fact that these guys are competing against some of the bigger programs represented speaks for itself,” Watson said. “Most of these guys will never be on the same team again, but they will definitely represent their high schools well, some of them in multiple sports.”

Western struck first on Sunday when Amaud Watkins singled to score two runs in the first inning. Neil Quisenberry followed with a two-run bomb in the third inning to give the team a 4-1 lead.

Rosemoor followed with a three-run dinger of its own to tie the game at 4-4 early in the fifth inning. An RBI single by Cal Murphy followed by a walk allowed Western to regain the lead at 6-4 in the fifth inning. But it wasn’t enough, as the home team scored three runs with back-to-back home runs to seal the win.

Lucas Patton started for the team on the mound and allowed seven runs (four earned) on seven hits in four and two-thirds innings.

Western was undefeated entering Sunday’s contest, having defeated Crown Point, IN, on Friday and Saturday. The team they defeated 5-4 in the tournament’s opening game, Campbellsville, went on to win the tournament.