All-stars get a shot to defend state titleThe Powell Babe Ruth all-stars squad shut down a trio of Big Horn Basin teams to capture the Wyoming District 4 Babe Ruth title over the weekend. Powell knocked off Cody, Lovell and Worland to win the tournament in Worland.Powell opened tournament play with a 10-2 victory over Cody, thanks to a strong start in the game. Powell sent 10 players to bat in the first inning, scoring five runs to take control of the game early.

Powell added two more runs in the second inning before scoring its final three runs during the team's seventh inning at-bat. Starting pitcher Cooper Wise kept Cody off the scoreboard until the fourth frame, when the team scored its only two runs of the game.

For the contest, Powell pitchers finished with seven strikeouts while allowing seven hits. Frankie Vogt finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles for Powell, which managed 12 hits in the game. Marshall McArthur and Tyler Patterson each added 2-for-4 performances as well.

Vogt took the hill in game two for Powell as he faced off against Lovell. Vogt got the win as Powell's starting pitcher as the all-stars allowed just four hits and two runs. Powell surrendered single runs in the third and fifth innings, but also fanned 12 batters, including six of the last seven the team faced to close out the contest.

Offensively, Powell produced 11 hits against Lovell. Justin Lynn was 3-for-4 in the contest, including a double.

Vogt aided his own cause with a 2-for-4 showing in the batter's box.

Powell scored two runs in both the first and second innings to grab an early 4-0 lead. The team responded to Lovell drawing within 4-2 in the top half of the fifth by scoring two more runs in the bottom half of the inning, then added its final two runs in the sixth.

Lovell failed to get a runner on base in either the sixth or seventh innings against Powell.

The final contest saw Powell deliver a 17-3 win over Worland in a contest that was shortened to five innings via the 10-run rule. Hayden Cragoe started on the mound, but Powell used a variety of pitchers in the contest.

Worland recorded its only four hits and all three of its runs in the third inning.

By that point, Powell was already in control of matters. The team scored four runs in the first inning, then repeated the performance in the second for an 8-0 lead. After Worland cracked the scoreboard, Powell answered with another six runs before plating its final three runs in the fourth.

BreaAnn Hollenbeck finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles in the contest. Hollenbeck was the only member of Powell's batting order to record more than one hit in the contest as the all-stars liberally distributed their 12 hits in the game amongst the roster.

The stable of Powell pitchers struck out six and walked just two batters in the game.

Powell opens state tournament play at 7 p.m. on Wednesday against Rock Springs. The all-stars are serving as the tournament host for this year's state event. Powell also plays games at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday as part of pool play.