Central Missouri Phenom capture Patriot Classic title

FORT SCOTT, Kan. - The Central Missouri Phenom Black baseball team captured the championship at the Patriot Classic, beating Next Level 4-3 in the championship game Sunday.

The Phenom scored two runs in the top of the first inning, but Next Level plated three runs in the second to take a 3-2 lead. The Phenom retook the lead with a pair of runs in the fourth and held a one-run edge the rest of the game.

Tyler Cassmeyer was the winning pitcher, striking out four batters in four innings. Mason Hunter added eight strikeouts in three innings of work.

Garrett Welschmeyer had two hits and two RBI and Mason Gipe added two hits for the Phenom.

Prior to the championship game, the Phenom topped Ozark 9-5 on Sunday morning.

The Phenom scored at least one run in each of the first four innings, holding an 8-1 through four.

Tyler Cassmeyer was the winning pitcher as well against Ozark, striking out seven batters in four innings.

Nick Easley had three hits and Peyton Roberts drove in three runs.

The Phenom posted a 4-1 record at the tournament, starting with a 5-3 win against Iola (Kan.) on Friday.

With the game tied at 3 entering the bottom of the seventh, Cade Galbraith had a two-run walk-off hit for the Phenom to open the tournament with a win. Galbraith also pitched four innings, striking out two batters.

The Phenom split their two games Saturday, losing 2-0 to Pittsburg (Kan.) and beating Joplin 8-0.

Andrew Rodriguez took the loss for the Phenom against Pittsburg, finishing with four strikeouts in six innings of work.

Nick Easley had both hits for the Phenom.

In the win against Joplin, the Phenom pulled away with a four-run inning in the fourth. Gipe led the offense with two hits and two RBI. Welschmeyer also drove in a pair of runs.

Hunter was the winning pitcher, striking out six batters in four innings on the mound.

The Phenom (17-4) will return to action Friday with a pair of games at William Woods in Fulton, starting with a contest against Columbia Post 202 at 10 a.m.