VERONA - It's been 27 years since Argyle qualified for the Home Talent League's Final Four round-robin tournament.
The Beavers came up just short losing in the Home Talent League Western Section championship 9-1 to Verona Sunday, Aug. 18.
"We knew we had to hit and score with them," Argyle player-manager Travis Erickson said. "We know we have to do it a different way by playing a little small ball."
Verona, the defending Home Talent League champions, have won four of the last five titles. Verona pounded out 15 hits and every player in their lineup had at least one hit and six different players drove in runs. The Beavers had scoring opportunities in the first and second innings, but Erickson said they couldn't move runners over against Verona starting pitcher Ben Wallace.
Wallace, a former player for Argyle, pitched the Cavaliers back to the championship. He gave up just one run on five hits. The lone run came on Lee Bohlman's fielder's choice. Argyle's Cory Stamm was 3-for-4 to lead the Beavers.
"I think we all expected to hit him (Wallace) harder today," Erickson said. "It's the third time we have faced him this year."
Argyle pitcher Justin Crotty pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up eight runs on 12 hits. He struck out two and walked three.
"I don't think he was himself today," Erickson said. "I don't think he was on."
Argyle was searching for their first Final Four since 1986 when Dick Schliem was the manager. Argyle finished the season 13-5.
"Even though we made it to the section championship, we have a lot of young guys and they are all back next year," Erickson said. "It's something we want to build on."
The Beavers came up just short losing in the Home Talent League Western Section championship 9-1 to Verona Sunday, Aug. 18.
"We knew we had to hit and score with them," Argyle player-manager Travis Erickson said. "We know we have to do it a different way by playing a little small ball."
Verona, the defending Home Talent League champions, have won four of the last five titles. Verona pounded out 15 hits and every player in their lineup had at least one hit and six different players drove in runs. The Beavers had scoring opportunities in the first and second innings, but Erickson said they couldn't move runners over against Verona starting pitcher Ben Wallace.
Wallace, a former player for Argyle, pitched the Cavaliers back to the championship. He gave up just one run on five hits. The lone run came on Lee Bohlman's fielder's choice. Argyle's Cory Stamm was 3-for-4 to lead the Beavers.
"I think we all expected to hit him (Wallace) harder today," Erickson said. "It's the third time we have faced him this year."
Argyle pitcher Justin Crotty pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up eight runs on 12 hits. He struck out two and walked three.
"I don't think he was himself today," Erickson said. "I don't think he was on."
Argyle was searching for their first Final Four since 1986 when Dick Schliem was the manager. Argyle finished the season 13-5.
"Even though we made it to the section championship, we have a lot of young guys and they are all back next year," Erickson said. "It's something we want to build on."
