Roanoke wins District 9 West American Legion baseball title

Roanoke's Hayden Smith drew a bases loaded walk after Vinton opted to put two on with one out to set up the force at every base as the top seed won 6-5 in the final game of the District 9 West American Legion tournament Monday at Kiwanis Field.

The situation was set up when Griffin Stanley led off the inning by abruptly pulling off a bunt attempt and swinging away for a base hit. He then stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.

Scott Spradlin, the hard-luck loser, had pitched all nine innings for Vinton (8-12). His team made his job all the more difficult by committing six errors.

Roanoke (15-2) won its third district tournament in a row. Post 3 advances to the state tournament in Williamsburg, with the first game on July 30 against an opponent yet to be determined.

Against Vinton, Tanner McCoy, Lucas Nowlin, and Stanley had two hits apiece. Steve Klaiber, who entered the game in the eighth in relief of Jake Schuyler, was the winning pitcher in relief.

Vinton outhit Roanoke 12-8. Dylan Spradlin and Paul Williams had three hits each.

In earlier games Sunday, Christiansburg beat Rocky Mount 13-12; Roanoke beat Vinton 12- 2; Vinton beat Christiansburg 8- 7.

Vinton 001 030 010 - 5 12 6
Roanoke 010 400 001 - 6 8 2

S. Spradlin and Williams. Jake Schuyler, Klaiber (8) and Nowlin.W - Klaiber. L -Spradlin.

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