Preston takes out Chelsea as State bid continues; to host Class A tournament

The Preston Pirates captured the Class 2A District Championship last week with a sweep of the Chelsea Dragons, 13-1 and 10-2.

On Monday, Preston completed the regular season with a 8-6 win over the Stigler Panthers.

The Pirates, 22-3 and ranked #3 in Class 2A, will play host to the Class 2A Regional Tournament Thursday through Saturday.

Coach Ryan Hudson’s squad will face Wyandotte (16-16) in Game 1 at 11 a.m., followed by Choteau-Mazie (23-12) under Coach Jason Smith taking on Crescent (18-7) in Game 2 at 1:30 p.m.

A Game 1 win by the Pirates will see them play at 4 p.m. Thursday; and another win will see them playing at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and a win then will send the Pirates back to the Class 2A State Tournament.

During last week’s meeting with Chelsea, Pepper Gallup earned the win for Preston as he struck out six and walked one. Noah Wilson and Easton Shaw both had three runs in the 10-2 victory, with Jayden Herring collecting two stolen bases.

In the 13-1 victory over Chelsea, the hitting talents of the Pirates decimated the Dragons as Braxton Kennedy, Waylon Cope and Easton Shaw combined for five of the team’s 10 hits.

Shaw was a standout on the mound as he allowed one hit and one run over three innings, striking out five Chelsea players and walking one.

The Pirates are eager to make a return to the State Tournament.

The Preston Lady Pirates made their appearance at the State Tournament Tuesday as they continued their run at the title. See Friday’s edition for more information.