Knights A team finishes season at West District Tournament

Last week, the Green River Knights Legion Baseball team hosted the Wyoming West District tournament.

Starting the tournament on Friday, the Knights played first against the Lovell Mustangs. During the first inning, the Mustangs took the lead and scored one run. Then, neither team scored in both the second and third innings. Next, during the fourth inning, the Mustangs again score one more point against the Knights. In the fifth inning, neither team scored. Finally, in the sixth inning, getting on the score board, the Knights scored one point. Lastly, neither team scored in the seventh inning. The game resulted in the Knights' close loss, with a final score of 1-2.

Leading the team with their single run was Dallyn Buschelman.

The Knights' second game was an automatic win because of a forfeit by the Saratoga Cutthroats who dropped out of the tournament, sending the Knights to their next game.

For the Knights' third game they played the Evanston Outlaws. Starting the game, the Knights took the lead in the first inning, scoring seven runs to the Outlaws' three. During the second inning, both teams tied, scoring two runs each. The Outlaws then scored six more runs over the Knights in the third inning. In the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, neither team scored. Lastly, the Outlaws scored three more runs in the seventh inning. The game ended in the Knights' loss, with a final score of 9-14.

Leading the team this game were Travin Brown and Jace Paoli with two runs each, along with Lander Welch, Skyler Lee, Oliver Akin and Dallyn Buschelman with one run each.

This year, the Knights took fifth place at the District tournament. With only the top four teams continuing to State, the Knights' 2024 season has now ended.

"We got beat out of the district tournament by two good teams," said Head Coach Ben Lail. "We performed pretty well, but at the end we fell, though I couldn't be prouder of the way our team played. I sure loved our boys this year and it was overall a successful year."

During this season the Knights accomplished a lot, pouring their heart out on the field each time they played. Moreover, this year the Knights had success with five All Conference players voted on by coaches from all over the state. Skyler Lee, Ben Lail and Brackin Lail were chosen for First Team All Conference. Lander Welch and Jace Paoli were also chosen for Second Team All Conference.

Additionally, the Knights will say goodbye to four players this year who are finishing their Legion Baseball careers. These four young men are Dallyn Buschelman, Jace Paoli, Skyler Lee, and Lander Welch.

"I've coached them for 10 years," Coach Lail said of these team members. "I consider them family. I'm proud off them. They've installed a good work ethic into the Green River Knights. They've led by example. I look forward to to seeing what they're going to do with their careers and I couldn't be happier as a coach to have been able to spend time with them and be around them."