Retif Oilers Guaranteed a Berth in American Legion Regional Championship Game

Posted August 8, 2015 / Last updated August 8, 2015

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Retif Only Team that Remains Undefeated with a 3-0 Record

Starting on the mound for Retif was Brandon Bruiglio, who threw seven innings. He gave up two runs on seven hits while striking out five Shockers.

Starting on the mound for Retif was Brandon Bruiglio, who threw seven innings. He gave up two runs on seven hits while striking out five Shockers. (Photos by Karen E. Segrave)

Bulletin: The Retif Oilers came from behind to defeat the Bryant Blacksox, 11-6, Saturday evening to remain unbeaten with a 4-0 record at the American Legion Mid-South Regional Tournament in Conway, AR. Retif will play Oklahoma for the Mid-South Regional Championship on Sunday at 2 p.m. 

View the Retif – Oklahoma Photo Gallery

Live Coverage of the American Legion Games on Creative Sports Network (Select Channel 1)

Listen to KASR’s Radio Broadcast of the Games

View the Game via Gametracker

In defeating the Oklahoma state champion, 9-2, Friday evening, the Retif Oilers achieved two significant milestones: they remain the only undefeated team (3-0) at the American Legion Mid-South Regional Tournament, and more importantly, the Oilers guaranteed themselves a spot in Sunday’s championship game.

The Oilers are scorching the field with hits and home plate with runs while Coach Joey Latino’s pitching staff continues to gel and deliver superb performances.

In Friday night’s game against the Shockers from Granite, OK, Brandon Briuglio swapped out his second base position and commanded the mound for seven full innings. Briuglio did not disappoint as he gave up two runs on seven hits while issuing two walks and striking out five Shockers. After 89 pitches, Briuglio was experiencing soreness in his shoulder and Coach Latino wisely sent Todd Crabtree to relieve his starter. Crabtree pitched a no-hitter in the two final innings. He walked one batter and struck out two.

Ben Hess returns to the dugout after scoring a run and is welcomed back by Harrison Daste (left) and Todd Crabtree. Hess is batting a phenomenal .500.

Ben Hess returns to the dugout after scoring a run and is welcomed back by Harrison Daste (left) and Todd Crabtree. Hess is batting a phenomenal .500.

The Oilers pelted 11 hits and Briuglio helped his own cause with three of those hits, including two singles and a double. In addition to the two runs he plated, Brigs notched two RBIs. Right fielder Ben Hess and third baseman Scott Crabtree accounted for two singles apiece. First baseman Dan Edmund and second baseman Connor Maginnis each swatted a double that produced two RBIs. Catcher Trent Forshag and shortstop Nick Ray each had RBI singles.

After three games in Conway, AR, Retif has a total of 30 hits and 33 runs. Retif is batting .291 as a team versus .220 for their opponents. Individually, several Oilers are having a fantastic series with Hess leading the way, the right-hander batting a phenomenal .500; Brigs’s three hits propped his average up to .375; and Crabtree, Forshag, Maginnis, and left fielder Stephen Sepcich are each batting .333. The Oilers have turned five double plays in their three games.

The Oilers play the Bryant (AR) Blacksox on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Read More…

View Overall Stats for the Retif Oilers

View the Box Score of Retif vs Oklahoma

Coverage of the Regional Tournament by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

View the Regional Tournament Pairings

Ron Brocato’s Sports Column in the Clarion-Herald: Victorious Retif re-dedicated to keep going