In the Rain-Plagued American Legion Tournament, the Boys from “Lose E-Anna” Are in Survival Mode

Posted August 10, 2014 / Last updated August 12, 2014

Mason Mayfield survived a few rocky innings that had Coach Latino wondering if he should send in the relief crew. He was given assurances by Mayfield himself who eventually found his groove against the Mississippi team from Tupelo on Saturday, August 9.

View the Retif Oil – Tupelo, MS Photo Gallery (Saturday, August 9, 2014)

View the Retif Oil – Kansas Photo Gallery (Friday, August 8, 2014)

Ping, ding, dang go the aluminum sound of bats wielded by those boys from “Lose-E-Anna,” as the good folks from “Aw-kin-Sauce” are prone to say about Jesuit-based Retif Oil at the American Legion’s Mid-South Tournament in Little Rock.

After a dismal opening performance that banished them to the “Loser’s” bracket, the champions from Louisiana won their next two games, capturing the attention of the teams still in the hunt. The double elimination tournament started with eight teams. As of Saturday, August 9, the teams from four states are alive: Retif from Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas. (The four teams that have gone home after two losses are Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and the tournament’s host team from North Little Rock.)

Of the four teams still playing, three are on life support, including Retif. The fourth team, Bryant Blacksox (the Arkansas champions), is still unbeaten.

The schedule on Sunday, August 10, looks like this: Retif plays Tennessee at 2 p.m. and Missouri takes on Arkansas at 6 p.m.

The second and third days of the tournament have been plagued by thunderstorms which have delayed play and also forced a change in venue. Rain is in the forecast for Sunday.

After losing to Arkansas, 9-1, on the first day of the tourney, the Retif players have done just what Coach Joey Latino said they needed to do: flush away the game, put it behind them.

Retif came back on Friday and beat a tough Kansas team, 8-6. Glynn Hyer picked up the win to improve his season record to 5-2. He relieved starter Sean Bretz after the 1st inning and pitched the next 6.2 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 earned runs, and 2 walks. Hyer struck out 5 Kansas batters. With two out in the top of the 8th and Retif leading, 8-5, Hyer came out and Christian Latino took the mound. Latino allowed two hits and one run scored to make it an 8-6 ball game. Latino got the job done and Kansas skipped back home.

Against Kansas, the Retif bats – silent as butterflies in the Arkansas game – came out of their cocoons. Nick Ray slapped a double for 2 ribbies in the 3rd inning and Ben Hess did the same in the 7th. A quartet contributed singles: Trent Forshag, Scott Crabtree, Brandon Briuglio, and Matt Cedro.

After rain adjusted the starting times of Saturday’s games, Retif faced Mississippi, which had played Tennessee the night before. The boys from Tupelo were coasting into the bottom of the 9th with a comfortable 6-0 lead until the baseball gods decided to mess around. Tennessee scored 7 runs in the final inning and Mississippi notched their first loss.

Coach Latino sent Mason Mayfield to the mound and the kid had all the right stuff. He pitched the entire game, picking up his 5th win against 3 losses for the summer season. Mayfield allowed 6 scattered hits and walked 2 batters. He struck out 8.

Once again, Nick Ray had a good day at the plate with 2 singles and 2 ribbies. Dan Edmund added three hits, including a double. Trent Forshag and Brandon Briuglio each had 2 singles. Matt Cedro hit a double and Ben Hess singled. The final score: 7-1. Mississippi out.

When Retif takes the field against Tennessee on Sunday, Coach Latino may have to send “Johnny Wholestaff” to the mound.

“You know, Johnny,” says Latino with a grin. “We’re going to talk to our pitchers and gauge where they are. We’ve got tender arms, but I don’t think anybody’s sore or in a position where they can’t throw… This is the part of the tournament where you go to Johnny Wholestaff. Three innings from this guy, four innings from this guy. Look, we’re in survival mode. Those kids are going to do everything you ask them to do.”

Galleries

American Legion Baseball (Mid-South Regional Tournament in Little Rock): Retif Oil (7) vs. Tupelo, MS (1), Saturday, August 9, 2014

Mason Mayfield was the only Retif pitcher to throw the full 9 nnings in this tournament.
With a solid victory in their pockets, Coach Latino talks logistics to the players. Moments earlier, he mentioned to a Little Rock sports writer that the team was in "survival mode," meaning one loss away from elimination. Unfortunately, that second loss would be a tough one against Tennessee on Sunday.
Team manager Chris Caldarera makes sure all the players' needs are met.
Leftfielder Matt Cedro nails a two bagger in the 9th inning.
Coach Latino offers words of encouragement to his pitchers between innings.
Brandon Briuglio does not get caught stealing very often, but this wasn't even close. And it sure looks as if the Mississippi player relishes the out.
Nick Ray returns to the dugout after scoring and among the first to welcome him is Alex Galy.
Trent Forshag heads back to the dugout all smiles after his sacrifice fly.
Matt Cedro has a close call with the Tupelo, MS catcher, but the umpire rightly declares the sliding leftfielder safe.
Against Mississippi. 1B Dan Edmund whacked 3 hits, including a double, for a solid day at the plate.
Curran Conway Field at the The University of Arkansas Little Rock hosted the games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday because the original site- Vince DeSalvo Stadium in Burns Park - was unplayable due to rain. The field has real grass in the outfield and artificial turf for the infield.
Brandon Briuglio flips the ball to shortstop Alex Galy for what will become in a matter of seconds another twin killing.
Ben Hess slaps a single.
With two away in the first inning, Mason Mayfield can start relieving some of the pressure.
Brandon Briuglio does not appear to yield an inch to this high inside pitch.
Shortstop Alex Galy and 2B Brandon Briuglio teamed up on plenty of twin killings this season.
Mason Mayfield survived a few rocky innings that had Coach Latino wondering if he should send in the relief crew. He was given assurances by Mayfield himself who eventually found his groove.
Nick Ray steals 2B and initially is safe. But the wet artificial turf infield causes him to slide a mere six inches past the plate. In that split second, the Mississippi player slaps the tag on Ray's hand.
Ben Hess belly flops to score Retif's second run of the game.
Nick Ray only recently moved up to the table setter's position - lead-off batter. Ray drew a walk and assistant coach Kenny Goodlet is at 1B to serve as the official welcome committee of one.