The top ranked 1A team in Florida, the Bozeman Bucks, hosted the Jay Royals on Friday night for a berth in the Final Four in Ft. Myers. Bozeman ace Cade Parker exceeded his pitch limit while striking out 14 on Tuesday against Northview, so the bucks opted for Junior RHP, Tyler Lee. Jay countered with righty Josh Majors.

After a scoreless first, Bozeman got on the board first with a three-run 2nd inning that was sparked by back-to-back RBI singles by CF Taylor Gay and 2B Barrett Johnston. LF Brock Langlotz would add an RBI single of his own before Majors was able to get out of the inning. 

Lee wouldn’t need much offense in this one, though. After walking a batter in each of his first three innings, he sat down the Royal line-up in order in the 4th and 5th before his offense broke it wide open in the bottom half of the 5th. Now a 4-0 Bozeman lead, the Bucks put the first two runners of the inning on before a strikeout and force out quieted the threat. However, Johnston came up drove a single right for his second RBI hit of the night. A walk to Lee loaded the bases for Langlotz, who sent the first pitch into the left center gap for a bases clearing double to extend the lead to 9-0. The junior outfielder has shown potential with an aggressive swing and solid contact ability as he has continues to impress in the postseason.

The Royals were running out of chances to make something happen but the night belonged to Tyler Lee. The Junior was on his game, challenging opposing hitters all night and not allowing a hit until a 2-out base hit by CF Trace Seib spoiled his no hit bid. Lee would finish with a line of: 6 IP/ 1 H/ 0 R/ 8 K/ 3 BB.

In the 6th, the Bucks sensed victory. Bozeman struck for three consecutive singles to bring in their 10th run and win by a final score of 10-0. They will head to Ft. Myers next week where they will play the Region 4 champion, Chiefland Tigers, at Hammond Stadium.

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