FT. MYERS - The Bozeman Bucks and Chiefland Indians squared off in the 1A state semi-final at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida on Wednesday. The Bucks entered the day having won 21 games in a row with a record of 27-2 on the year, while the Indians, who were the district 7 runner-up, limped into the postseason at an even 10-10.

The game started out with a familiar look for the Bucks. After a hit by pitch and a walk, SS Zach Foster singled to center with 2 outs, scoring Austin Minchew to give the Bucks the early 1-0 lead. Cade Parker took the mound for Bozeman having surrendered just one run in the postseason so far. The FAU commit retired the Chiefland side in order In the first but things will get a little tougher from there. 

The Indian lineup would catch on fire and go on to score in each inning after the first. After a error put the leadoff man on in the 2nd, Wyatt Hammond doubled to right to tie the game at 1. In the 3rd, Chiefland put the leadoff man it on again this time via hit by pitch. After another single and stolen base putter runners in scoring position, Logan Reidy came up with 2 outs and blooped a perfectly placed base hit into shallow center to give the Indians their first lead of the day 3-1.  

Meanwhile, Indian starter RHP Kelby Osteen was getting into a groove. After giving up a run in the first, he loaded the bases with back-to-back 2 out walks but was able to induce a ground out to end the threat. Two more walks in the 3rd posed a threat for the Bucks but again they couldn’t come up with the big hit as a strikeout and fly out ended the inning. Osteen continued to go after hitters, working around an error in the 4th and the 5th with five ground balls and a double play to keep Bozeman at bay.

In the 5th, Payne Parnell was hit by a Cade Parker pitch to put the leadoff man on base for the fourth consecutive inning for the Indians. The very next batter, 1B Keegan McLelland doubled to left scoring Parnell and pushing the lead to 5-1. After another 2 out RBI single made it 6-1, Parker’s day was finished by Tyler Lee and Bozeman was quickly running out of chances. Parker’s line was: 4.2 IP/ 6 H/ 5 ER/ 2 BB/ 5 K.

However, in the 6th they loaded the bases with 1 out for Parker. He turned on an 0-1 fastball and lined it right at third baseman Logan Reidy who stepped on the bag for an inning ending double play again leaving the bucks empty handed. In the bottom half, another 2 out RBI double by Reidy seemed to be the final blow as the Indians took a six run lead into the 7th. Claytin Aldrich would take over on the mound for Chiefland as Osteen would finish his day at: 6 IP/ 4H/ 1 ER/ 6 BB/ 4 K.

The Bucks were able to scratch across a run but it wouldn’t be enough as the Chiefland Indians pull of the upset and advance to the 1A State Championship Game. They will face the Williston Red Devils at 4 PM.

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