All-stars do it again

Sikeston 12-year-old all-star Tyler Anderson connects for a home run.

LAMAR, Colo. -- The Sikeston 12-year-old all-stars are going back to the World Series after romping through the Cal Ripken Midwest Plains Regional in Lamar, Colo.

The team defeated the Mineral Area all-stars on Saturday, 10-1 to reach the championship game. Mineral Area fought back through the loser's bracket to play Sikeston for the title.

This time Sikeston pounded Mineral Area even worse, claiming the championship, 16-1.

Sikeston also defeated Mineral Area in the state championship game held at the Sikeston Complex, 20-4.

Sikeston will play in the World Series in Aberdeen, Maryland at Cal Ripken Field on Aug. 11 against the Southeast Regional representative.

It's this age group's third consecutive regional championship.

Four different players blasted four home runs for Sikeston in the championship game against Mineral Area.

Josh Hampton, Connor Landers, Lucas Houchin and Trey Tigart each went yard for Sikeston.

Tigart was the winning pitcher.

Sikeston's Tyler Anderson was named the MVP of the regional with two wins on the mound and two home runs.

On Saturday, Brandon Goodwin and Anderson hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning to get things started against Mineral Area. Taylor Scott then brought in two runs with a single to make it 4-0 with still no outs.

Cord Sheehy had an RBI-single and Tigart added a sacrifice fly to make it 6-0. It was more than enough for Anderson on the hill as he threw all six innings, striking out 12 and scattering six hits with two walks.

Derek Mitchell accounted for Mineral Area's only run with a home run in the third inning.

"Our bats got hot and our pitching did a great job," said Sikeston coach Rod Anderson. "Tyler's arm was a little sore and I wasn't sure if he would go, but he wanted the ball and he showed it."

The 12-year-old all-stars are comprised of virtually the same group that qualified for the World Series as 10-year-olds. Last season, as 11-year-olds, the team won the Midwest Plains Regional, but there is no World Series for that age group.