WESTPHALIA, Mo. - A big first inning helped the Fatima Comets capture a 5-0 win against the Dixon Bulldogs in Thursday night's championship game of the Class 3 District 9 Tournament.
The Bulldogs had runners at first and third with one out in the top of the first, but the Comets were able to cut down a runner at the plate on an attempted double steal, then got out of the inning with a groundout.
"We executed a first-and-third play to start the game and that really helped shut down Dixon's running game," Fatima coach Scott Kilgore said.
Fatima then got two runs in its half of the first when Sam Hager doubled and came home on a home run by catcher Zach Hudspeth.
Hudspeth then picked off a runner when Dixon's leadoff batter got on in the second.
"Zach really made some huge plays to start the game," Kilgore said.
The Comets then added two more runs in the bottom of the second before closing out the scoring with one in the sixth.
That clinched the third straight district title for the Comets, who finished third in the state last year after winning the state title in 2013.
"We've overcome some adversity this season and are playing our best ball of the season right now, and that's what you want," Kilgore said.
Logan Vogel twirled a complete-game five-hitter to lead Fatima to the win, striking out six.
"What a pitching performance - Logan just shut them down," Kilgore said.
Vogel also rapped out a pair of hits, as did Hager and Austin Schubert. Jared Schulte chipped in with a sacrifice fly.
The Comets (18-7) will now host a sectional contest Monday against Mountain Grove (22-6).
"We're just happy to keep going," Kilgore said. "Any time you can keep playing at this time of they year, you're pretty happy about it."