Area Teams Prepare For Senior Legion Area Tournaments

After a strong regular season, The Neligh Senior Legion Baseball team looks to build some momentum in the Class B Area 5 tournament in Central City. 

Neligh enters the six-team tournament as the second seed. They draw a first round matchup with Columbus Lakeview, a team they beat 6-5 earlier this season. In that game, Neligh generated 12 hits, including four in the fourth. That fourth inning saw Neligh score five of their six runs to take the lead for good.

Chase Kallhoff led the way for Neligh on that day, driving in two runs while scoring one more. Despite three errors by the Neligh defense, the pitching staff was able to keep Columbus Lakeview in check. Luke Jacobsen threw five innings to get the win, striking out four. Tyson Belitz came in for two innings of relief, allowing one run and striking out three Columbus Lakeview on his way to earning the save. 

If Neligh is victorious again, they will face the winner of the Kearney County/Central City game. Top-seeded Pierce takes on Kearney County #2 in the only other first round matchup. The winner of the double-elimination tournament earns a bid to the Class B State Tournament in Plattsmouth.

First pitch for Neligh and Columbus Lakeview is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. at Central City's Kemel Field.

O'Neill Travels To Broken Bow For Area Tournament

The O'Neill Pinnacle Bank Irish Seniors, including Orchard native Brenden Cleveland, are headed to Broken Bow for the Class B Area 6 tournament Friday through Tuesday. 

As the fourth seed, the Irish draw a first round meeting with the host team, Broken Bow. If they are able to pull out a win, O'Neill will face the winner of the Holdrege/Hershland game. 

The top seed, McCook, looks to top Gothenburg in the other first round match up. The two teams kick off the tournament Friday at 1 p.m.

The team that comes out on top of the six-team, double-elimination bracket will earn a bid in the Class B State Tournament in Plattsmouth. 

First pitch for O'Neill and Broken Bow is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at Broken Bow's Melham Park.

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