Region 4B Legion tournament: Sternberg strikes out 19 in shutout victory

CORSICA — Richard Sternberg took the mound for Platte/Geddes Wednesday in its opening round matchup of the Region 4B Legion baseball tournament and made the most of it.

Sternberg struck out 19 batters in a 7-0 win over Irene to move on to play Lesterville/Scotland at 5 p.m. today in Corsica.

Irene remains in the double-elimination tournament and will take on Corsica 30 minutes after the Platte/Geddes vs. Lesterville/Scotland game today in Corsica.

“I didn’t know how many strikeouts I had,” Sternberg said. “I was just throwing.”

After recording a strikeout for the second out of the ninth inning, the announcer mentioned to the crowd that Sternberg had recorded his 18th strikeout of the game.

“I didn’t think I had that many,” Sternberg said.

The Platte/Geddes pitcher then punched out the final batter of the game to claim his 19th strikeout and the victory.

Sternberg said his curveball was what led to the successful outing, but that late in the game his fastball seemed to be gaining velocity.

“I guess I tend to throw harder when my arm goes numb,” he joked.

Sternberg allowed three hits and one walk in the game. He also recorded two hits of his own, including a triple and an RBI.

Jon Hoeksema had an inside-the-park homerun for Platte/Geddes.

Andy Hora took the loss on the mound for Irene. He pitched the entire game, allowing seven runs on nine hits and one walk. He struck out six.

Clay Jorgensen went 2-for-3 for Irene.

Tabor 21, Corsica 9

CORSICA — Lance Ranek went 5-for-6 at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs to help lead Tabor to a 21-9 win over Corsica in the Region 4B Legion baseball tournament opening round Wednesday in Corsica.

Kodi Larson and Blasé Vanecek each had two hits for Tabor, which also got three hits including a triple from Ross Kortan.

Kortan picked up the win on the mound as he pitched five innings, allowing six runs on six hits and he struck out seven.

Dustin Bultje had four RBIs with the help of a double and a triple for Corsica. Kris Menning had three hits and Aaron Groeneweg added two.

Corsica will take on Irene on the consolation side of the bracket today while Tabor will face either Platte/Geddes or Lesterville/Scotland at 5 p.m. on Friday.

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