Altamont Goes Extras to Defeat Neoga, Wins First-Ever Sectional

(ALTAMONT AFTER ITS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. THEY WON THEIR FIRST-EVER SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY)

Altamont got a base hit from Wyatt Vaughn in the bottom of the eighth to drive home Kaleb Whitt with the winning run as Altamont posted its first-ever sectional championship victory, defeating Neoga 7-6. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Altamont captured the title of the Class 1A St. Anthony Sectional. Altamont advances to the 1A Super-Sectional at SIU Carbondale at 4pm Monday. We'll have the game on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.

Ironically, Vaughn drove in the first run and the last run for Altamont in Saturday's contest. Altamont scored three times in the first. With two outs, Kaleb Whitt singled and Kolby Pemberton walked. Vaughn then singled in one run, Jacob Robbins walked, Noah Teasley singled home another run and Noah Kopplin walked to bring home the third run.

Neoga bounced right back to tie the game with three runs in the second. Clayton Butler worked a leadoff walk. After the next two batters were retired, Chase Lanham singled and Jimmy Wood reached on an infield single to make it 3-1. Drew Ramert then singled in a second run and Layne Andrews tied the game with a RBI single.

Altamont regained the lead with two runs in the third. With one out, Jacob Robbins singled and Noah Teasley walked. Noah Kopplin reached on a fielder's choice, Devon Guerrettaz singled home a run and another run scored on Dakota Kuhlman's fielder's choice.

Altamont made it 6-3 with a run in the fourth on Kolby Pemberton's leadoff home run. 

Neoga wasn't done, though, as with one out in the fifth, Caleb Hill walked and Evan Fritcher tripled him home to make it a 6-4 game.

Neoga tied the game in the seventh. With one out, Layne Andrews reached on an infield single. After a second out, Evan Fritcher, Clayton Butler and Chase Banning delivered consecutive singles to tie the game.

Altamont claimed the championship, though, in the eighth. With one out, Kaleb Whitt singled and stole second. After Kolby Pemberton was intentionally walked, Wyatt Vaughn came through with the base hit to score Whitt and give Altamont the victory.

Kolby Pemberton got the win, pitching the final 3-2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk with no strikeouts. Kaleb Whitt went the first 4-1/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Adam Fearday took the loss for Neoga, pitching the final 4-1/3 innings, giving up the one run on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Evan Fritcher pitched the first 2-1/3 innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits and three walks with no strikeouts. Jimmy Wood got two outs to close out the third inning, giving up a run on three hits.

At the plate for Altamont: Dakota Kuhlman--fielder's choice...Alek Biggs--single...Kaleb Whitt--three singles, run scored...Connor Reardon--run scored...Kolby Pemberton--hit by pitch, home run, walk, two runs scored, RBI...Wyatt Vaughn--two singles, 2 RBI...Jacob Robbins--single, walk, run scored...Noah Teasley--single, walk, run scored, RBI...Noah Kopplin--two walks, RBI...Dawson Guerrettaz--single, walk, RBI

At the plate for Neoga: Drew Ramert--single, RBI...Layne Andrews--two singles, run scored, RBI...Caleb Hill--double, walk, run scored...Evan Fritcher--triple, single, run scored, RBI...Clayton Butler--single, walk, run scored, RBI...Chase Banning--two singles, RBI...Chase Lanham--single, walk, run scored...Jimmy Wood--two singles, run scored, RBI

Altamont improved to 18-12 with the victory; Neoga closes its campaign with a 19-8 record.