FORTVILLE — A champion has been crowned.
Winning three straight tournament games with a combined 45 runs scored, the Astros brought home the trophy and cruised to the Mt. Vernon Optimist Baseball Rookie League title.
The Astros, coached by Marty Black and Barry Vinard, opened the league tournament with a 16-4 win against the Marlins.
In the semifinals, the 7- and 8-year-old Astros once again reached double figures, defeating the Reds 11-1 to advance to the championship game.
Facing the Orioles for the title, the Astros’ offense didn’t let up, winning 18-8.
The league champions finished second in the final standings with a 9-1 record behind the Cardinals (10-0).
The Orioles tied for third at 6-4, but the club got hot in the tournament, defeating the Giants 12-9 in the first round and outlasting the Cardinals 16-14 in the semifinals.
Scores
June 6
Astros 8, Marlins 4
June 12
Astros 8, Reds 6
June 13
Orioles 6, Marlins 2
Cardinals 11, Dodgers 2
Giants 14, Indians 3
Tournament results
First round
Cardinals 15, Indians 3
Orioles 12, Giants 9
Astros 16, Marlins 4
Reds 16, Dodgers 15
Semifinals
Orioles 16, Cardinals 14
Astros 11, Reds 1
Championship
Astros 18, Orioles 8
Game balls
Colby Smith, Shane Oak, Tyler Black (Astros), Zane Kaminski, Isaac Madison, Riley Jarrett (Cardinals), Quinn Watson, Landon Bills (Indians)
Home runs
Colby Smith, Andrew Boldt, Tristan Sitton
