Stallions Dominate First Day of GMB State Championships

Day one of the Greater Midwest Baseball Missouri-Illinois Bi-State Championships proved to be a bountiful one for the Stallions Baseball Club of Wentzville and St. Peters on Friday.

In fact, the Stallions were downright bullish in stampeding their way to lopsided wins over the Rawlings Prospects and Warriors Gold. They earned the overall No. 1 seed, as the event advances from pool play to tournament play on day two.   

The Stallions played in the first game of the day on Friday, and made quick work of the Rawlings Prospects in what proved to be a 9-2 win.

Later in the day, the Stallions suffered a shaky start, but eventually rallied big time for a 10-2 win over Warriors Gold.

“We were fired up to play no doubt,” Stallions assistant coach Mike Rothermich said. “When you can get a win against a team like the Prospects, that really gives you a huge energy boost. And I think it’ll fire us up for the rest of the tournament.”

Starting pitchers Joel Kelsay and Sam Runge were both fantastic on the mound in the two Stallions wins.

Two other teams, Warriors Blue and the Southern Illinois Bullets, also went 2-0 on Friday. But since Kelsay and Runge only allowed two runs apiece, the Stallions won all the tie-breakers and earned a No. 1 seed and first-round bye on Saturday.

The star at the plate for the Stallions was Fort Zumwalt North junior-to-be Greg Rothermich, who had four hits, three RBIs, three runs, and he also threw out four opposing runners who dared trying to advance on his shotgun-like throwing arm.

“Greg’s as solid a catcher as anybody out there,” Mike Rothermich said.

The Stallions are assured a berth in the semifinals on Saturday, and will play the winner of the 4-seed (Rawlings Redbirds Red) versus 5-seed (Illinois Braves) quarterfinal game at 2:30 p.m. at Founder’s Park.

That Redbirds-Braves contest is the first of six scheduled winner’s bracket games at Founder’s Park.

The consolation bracket games are being played at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC) in Bridgeton, while the semifinal winners will advance to the GMB state championship game, which will be played on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at Shaw Park in Clayton.

Here’s a look at the schedule breakdown for Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday, June 25

At Founder’s Park (winner’s bracket)

8:30 a.m. – Game 1: (4) Rawlings Redbirds Red  vs.  (5) Illinois Braves

10:30 a.m. – Game 2: (3) Southern Illinois Bullets  vs.  (6) Rawlings Redbirds White

12:30 p.m. – Game 3: Loser Game 1  vs.  Loser Game 2

2:30 pm – Game 4:  (1) Stallions  vs.  Winner Game 1

4:30 p.m. – Game 5: (2) Warriors Blue  vs.  (7) Rawlings Prospects

6:30 p.m. – Game 6: Loser Game 4  vs.  Game 5

 At BMAC (consolation bracket)

8:30 a.m. – Game 7: (11) Rawlings Tigers  vs.  (12) Warriors Gold

10:30 a.m. – Game 8: (10) St. Louis Captains  vs.  (13) JCSA

12:30 p.m. – Game 9: Loser Game 7  vs.  Loser Game 8

2:30 p.m. – Game 10: (8) Granite City  vs.  Winner Game 7

4:30 p.m. – Game 11: (9) Illini Baseball  vs.  Winner Game 8

6:30 p.m. – Game 12: Loser Game 10  vs.  Loser Game 11

Sunday, June 26

At Shaw Park

8:30 a.m. – Consolation Championship: Winner Game 10  vs.  Winner Game 11

10:30 a.m. – Game 13: Winner Game 2  vs.  Winner Game 5

12:30 p.m. – Championship Game: Winner Game 4  vs.  Winner Game 13