The Sticks had no trouble in the opening round of the South Dakota VFW Class B 14U State Tournament in Corsica on Friday, soundly defeating host team Corsica-Stickney 10-0 in a game that ended early because of the mercy rule. The Freeman/Marion teener club will face Mt. Vernon/Plankinton in the semifinals on Saturday at 4 p.m. for a spot in Sunday’s championship game. The losers will play in the third-place game Sunday at 1 p.m.

For the second year in a row, Freeman is the No. 3 seed and will face No. 6 Menno in the first round of the District 6 Amateur Baseball Tournament that starts this week in Crofton, Neb. The Blacksox and the Mad Frogs will square off in the second of two games Friday, July 21, with first pitch set for 8 p.m. In the first game that will start at 6 p.m., No. 4 Wynot will face No. 5 Crofton.

In a game that ended after midnight, Menno built an early lead and held off a late charge by Freeman to claim victory in the first round of the District 6 Amateur Baseball Tournament in Crofton, Neb., Friday night, July 21. The sixth-seed Mad Frogs won 14-11 and will face second-seed Tabor Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The third-seeded Blacksox play in an elimination game Thursday, July 27 against fourth-seeded Wynot. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. Also coming up in amateur postseason play, No. 1 Lesterville will face No.

The 14U Sticks will be playing in the South Dakota VFW Baseball Association State Tournament  The Freeman/Marion squad advanced by defeating Tyndall 9-2 in the Region 7 championship in Scotland Wednesday night, July 12. The Sticks were undefeated in region play, also topping Centerville 9-4 and Tyndall 3-1 in the opening round on Monday.

Because of poor field conditions and the threat of more severe weather, the Menno July 4 baseball game against Freeman — and the fireworks to follow — have been postponed. Both have been rescheduled for Thursday, July 6.

The Freeman amateur baseball team evened up its season record at 6-6 with a 6-2 win over Renner at Renner Sunday night, June 25 behind a complete-game effort from starting pitcher and team manager Jake Weier. Weier had good control all night long; of the 111 ptiches he threw, 84 went for strikes. The two earned runs he allowed came on eight hits and he struck out nine in the strong outing.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER For generations in both Freeman and Menno, baseball has been one of the hottest summertime tickets in town, so why should 2023 be any different? It’s not. From youth ball clubs to teener teams to amateur squads that go by the names Blacksox and Mad Frogs, the season on the diamond has been underway since last month and, for some, will continue well into July. Here’s a closer look. Blacksox

CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF IMAGES FEATURING FREEMAN ACADEMY/MARION, FREEMAN PUBLIC AND MENNO ATHLETES COMPETING AT THE 2023 STATE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Jada Koerner | 800 7th, 2:23.23 (Incoming best: 3rd, 2:22.77)   Koerner | 1600

Rocky Ammann | Long Jump 21st, 17-3 ¼ (Incoming best: 24th, 19-1 ¼)   Ammann | Pole Vault