Knights end their season at State Tournament

The Green River Knights showed up on the field ready to take on the Douglas Cats during their first game of the Wyoming Legion "A" State Tournament on July 26. The game took place at the fields at Thorne Rider Park in Sheridan.

Green River led the first inning, bringing in two runs, and held Douglas from scoring. In the second inning, Douglas pulled ahead of Green River, scoring six runs while Green River was unable to bring any runners home. During the third inning, Green River scored three more runs while Douglas was unable to score and the game was tied 6-6. Green River scored one more run in the fourth inning, grabbing the lead again from Douglas. The fifth inning was another hard-fought inning as Douglas scored three runs to Green River's two. The game was tied again. Heading into the sixth inning, with the game tied at 9-9, neither team was able to bring a runner in. Both teams were playing tough for the win, but in the bottom of the seventh inning Green River's error cost them the game as Douglas scored a run. It was not the outcome the Knights were hoping for as they lost the game with a final score of 9-10.

Ashton Eldredge was on the mound for the Knights, allowing eight hits and nine runs while striking out five and walking three players in five innings. Karson Hanson pitched relief during the game, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two and walking one player.

Leading the team in runs were Lander Welch and Dallyn Bushelman with two runs each, along with Ben Lail, Chris Reinig, Ashton Eldredge, Jace Paoli and Skyler Lee with one run each. Leading the team in hits were Ben Lail, Ashton Eldredge and Lander Welch with two hits each. The Knights had a total of 10 hits during the game while Douglas had nine hits.

"Our team fought well against the number two team in the state," explained Head Coach Ben Lail. "Our boys competed great and we've showed people that we deserve to be in the State tournament and are one of the better teams in the state."

On July 27, the Knights took on the Torrington Tigers in the consolation bracket.

Tension was in the air the first two innings as neither teams were able to get on the scoreboard. In the third inning, both teams scored three runs, staying neck-and-neck entering the fourth inning. Green River put on the pressure and scored two more runs, pulling ahead of Torrington. During the fifth inning, Green River scored three runs to Torrington's one and Green River kept the lead. It was an unfortunate sixth inning for Green River when Torrington scored four runs and the Knights couldn't get their runners home. Again, the game was tied 8-8. There were no runs in the seventh inning. With the scoreboard tied, they played an extra inning, and Torrington scored three runs and won the game with a final score of 11-8.

Skyler Lee was on the mound for the Knights, allowing four hits and six runs while striking out two and walking five players.

Leading the team in runs were Dallyn Bushelman and Brackin Lail with two runs each, along with Q Liebelt, Ben Lail, Ashton Eldredge and Jace Paoli with one run each. Leading the team in hits were Brackin Lail, Chris Reinig and Lander Welch with two hits each. The Knights had a total of 11 hits during the game while Torrington had eight hits.

"The game against Torrington was a nail-bitter for sure," said Coach Lail. "Skyler Lee pitched another phenomenal game, like he's done all year."

The coach felt there were a couple errors late in the game that made the difference between winning and losing.

With two losses at State, the Green River Knights' season has come to an end. The young team of athletes has showed significant improvement throughout the season. They have so much to be proud of for all of their accomplishments this year.

The Knights will be saying good-bye to Skyler Lee, Ashton Eldredge, Q Liebelt and Lander Welch. Coach Lail has been coaching these amazing young men for a long time and says it has been a pleasure. He said, "I'm proud of them and our team wouldn't have been were they were without their leadership and I wish them nothing but the best."