The 2019 Stevens Point Junior Sixers American Legion Baseball team. (Contributed photo)

Portage County Gazette

The Stevens Point Junior Sixers 17U baseball team finished second in its home tournament last weekend, after it lost to Chippewa Falls in the Championship Game of the Don Friday Classic Junior Legion Tournament at Bukolt Park Sunday, Jun 16.

After rain knocked out play the opening day of the tournament Friday, June 14, the Junior Sixers won 2-0 over the Marshfield Pride Saturday, June 15. Christian Terrill had a RBI single to score Isaiah Christiansen in the bottom of the second inning to give Point a 1-0 lead, which it remained until Cade Konczal scored on an error in the bottom of the sixth to cap the scoring on the 2-0 win.

Christiansen went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the offense, while he also struck out six, walked three and allowed two hits over five innings for the win on the mound. Jamie Praefke allowed one hit over one and 2/3 innings, while Brady Houston got the final out with runners on first and second to pick up the save.

The Junior Sixers followed with a 2-1 win over Oconomowoc Sunday afternoon. Praefke had a RBI single in the bottom of the first inning to give Point a 1-0 lead, and after Oconomowoc scored on a sacrifice bunt in the top of the third inning to tie it at 1-1, Praefke had a RBI single in the bottom of the third to put the Junior Sixers ahead 2-1 and provide the eventual game-winning run in the 2-1 victory.

Praefke went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Christiansen scored two runs, while Terrill struck out one, walked two and didn’t allow an earned run on six hits over seven innings for the complete-game victory.

Point followed with the Championship Game Sunday afternoon against Chippewa Falls, which drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead, then added a RBI double in the top of the sixth inning to go up 2-0.

The Junior Sixers loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly from Alex Edwards to make it 2-1, before Chippewa Falls got a ground out to end the inning, then retired the side in the bottom of the seventh to win the Don Friday Classic with a 2-1 victory.

Carson Kindler went 2-for-3 to lead the Point offense, while Christiansen took the loss after he struck out four, walked four and allowed one earned run over four no-hit innings, while Houston didn’t allow an earned run on three hits, walked three and allowed three hits over the final three innings.

The Junior Sixers (5-2) are scheduled to host the Plover Junior Black Sox at Bukolt Park at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, and then play Wisconsin Rapids at Bukolt Park at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19.