The Gillette Roughriders’ season ended Saturday night as they lost to Cheyenne Post 6 in the American Legion AA State Championship 14-4.
For Cheyenne, this is their third straight Wyoming state championship, and they improve to a record of 51-19.
The Roughriders, meanwhile, finish the year with a record of 47-24.
Post 6 got out to an early lead against the Riders, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings, and then exploding for six runs in the third before adding another two runs in the fourth.
The Riders were already behind 10-0 before they scored their first runs in the top of the fifth.
The Riders were finally able to get on the board against Post 6 when Dalton McCann drove in Westin Hinkel with a single to right field. After two strike outs, Dalton Cowen singled to third base, driving in Kadison Wass. The final run of the inning came from a Turner Lofing single up the middle of the field, bringing in Gavin Reimer. On the same hit, Dalton McCann tried to score from second, but he was gunned out at home by center fielder Brandon Nimmo.
Since the mercy rule was applicable, the Riders had to score at least one more run entering the seventh inning as they were behind 13-3. In the end, the Riders would extend the game by a half inning as Dalton McCann scored from second when Turner Lofing singled to right field. With three hits in the inning, however, Gillette was only able to add one run.
Ultimately, Post 6 won on the mercy rule in the seventh inning after Jorden Mossey scored from third on a wild pitch.
For the Roughriders, Dalton Cowen was 2-3 at the plate with one RBI. Turner Lofing hit 2-4 with two RBIs, Westin Hinkel was 1-4 at the plate with one run, and Dalton McCann batted 2-3 with one RBI and one run.
Dalton Cowen started out on the mound for Gillette, pitching just three innings, scattering nine hits, giving up eight earned runs, and striking out two. With the loss, Cowen’s record fell to 3-4 on the season.
Westin Hinkel relieved Cowen in the fourth, throwing for two innings, giving up four hits and one earned run. Matt Fogle finished the game throwing 1 1/3 innings while allowing one hit and one earned run.
With Saturday night’s victory over Gillette, Cheyenne Post 6 advances to the Northwest Regional Tournament in Billings, MT beginning on Wednesday.
For the Riders, they can only look forward to the 2012 season, where they will have several players retuning. Next season, the Roughriders will be without Dalton Cowen, JT Zigray, and Robert Markve.
For additional information on Saturday night’s championship game, go to http://wyopreps.com.
