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CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 5, 2003 Colts bash Bend, in hunt for state crown By MIKE WEBER for the Mail Tribune PORTLAND — The South Medford Colts American Legion A baseball team extended its season one more day with a 16-6 semifinal win over Bend in the state tournament Monday at Sckavone Stadium in Portland. South Medford will meet undefeated North Salem at 1 p.m. today. If the Colts win, the two play again shortly after for the title. A win by North Salem in the first game would give it the championship. The state champion advances to regionals next weekend in Spokane, Wash. "This is a big deal, and of course our ultimate goal is to win the state title," said Antich. "Our pitching, hitting and defense was just spectacular, and if we continue playing like that, then we always have a chance of winning against any team. Advertisement "These kids have been executing well in all aspects of the game throughout the tournament, and we're really playing good baseball now. If we perform as well as we're capable of, then there's no reason that we can't win the state championship (today)." South Medford left fielder Logan Boyd walloped his first career grand slam and was 5-for-6 with six RBIs and four runs. He also had a two-run homer in the first inning for the game’s initial runs. South Medford pitcher Tom George allowed only one hit and no runs through the first four innings. He needed only five pitches in the second inning. Designated hitter Tim Holtz rapped an RBI single in the third for the Colts, driving in shortstop Andy Narus, who had singled. In addition to Boyd’s 325-foot grand slam to center field, Justin Meyer and Allen Smith had RBIs to as South Medford moved to a 9-0 lead in the fourth. Holtz and Smith tagged back-to-back homers in the sixth inning, helping forge a 13-2 advantage. The Colts’ rock-solid defense, which has committed only two errors in four games in the tournament, continued to sparkle and staved off a seventh-inning Bend rally that closed the margin to 13-6. "We've played good defense the entire tournament, but we knew that we had to come out and hit a little better today," said Boyd. "Tommy pitched great, and our defense helped him tremendously, but it was just a good all- around performance by everyone on our team. "We sure have lots of momentum now with a three-game winning streak, and that's important in a tournament like this. We'll have our ace pitcher (Holtz) on the mound (today), so we're hoping to win in our first game and then come back and get another one, too." After a scoreless eighth inning, Medford continued its offensive surge in the ninth as Dan Chancler belted a two-run homer over the 325-foot left-field fence. Boyd followed with a ground-rule double, then scored on Holtz’s RBI single, making it 16-6. Allen was 3-for-6 and had two RBIs. "I wasn't throwing my fastball very well today," said George, "and I started to get a little tired later in the game. But obviously, having five home runs sure helped us. This wasn't one of the better games that I've pitched, but our defense backed me up well, and I'm sure glad we got the win. "If we continue to execute well offensively and if we play as well as we did today, then I feel pretty confident about our chance of winning the championship." South Medford.................201 604 003 — 16 17 0 Bend....................................000 021 300 — 6 13 4 George and Narus; Knight, Gage (5), Bigelow (7) and Jordan. 2B — SM: Meyer, Smith, Boyd; B: Silcocks. HR — SM: Boyd 2, Smith, Holtz, Chancler. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times