by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington 15-year-old all stars spent six days in a rain clogged state Babe Ruth tournament in Cherryvale and were crowned state champions because of it.

The team will travel to Boonesville, Mo. next Thursday for the Midwest Plains 15-year-old Regional Tournament.

The state championship was the first for the group in the Babe Ruth ranks. Last year, the locals lost the state championship in heart breaking fashion in Moundridge.

This time they were not to be denied. 

Having won their district in Wellington, the locals opened play Friday of last week against Tri-Valley, winning 7-0.

Wellington was scheduled to play Saturday at 8 p.m., but was rained out until Sunday around 5 p.m.

The second game, 45 hours later against Osawatomie, Jace Lowe pitched seven innings to help Wellington win 8-1.

More rain came Monday and the locals headed back to Wellington. On Tuesday, the team left town early and had a 10 a.m. game, where it would face Spring River for the first time.

Wellington played outstanding baseball both offensively and defensively and shut Spring River down 9-0. Wesley Gilmore pitched all seven innings.

The locals would face Spring River again that evening as it won on the backside of the losers bracket. Dylan Jones pitched five innings, followed by Jace Lowe, then Jared Shields.

Wellington was up by five runs at one point during the game and led 8-6 in the top of the seventh, with the bases loaded. Spring River’s short stop hit a grand slam off Jared Shields to put it in front 10-8. The opponent then added a run to make it 11-8.

The locals would load the bases in the bottom half of the inning but could not score.

Then it started to rain… again.

“Some of us had to work, and personally, it was the worst weather I’ve ever had to drive in,” said Nick Struble, a coach for the 15-year-olds.

The game was moved to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Wellington started Wesley Gilmore on the mound and he pitched all seven innings.

“These boys rose to the occasion and played the best I’ve seen them play together all summer,” Struble said. “They were on the a mission and nothing was going to stop them.”

Spring River made five or more pitching changes and Wellington continued to hit the ball en route to a 15-2 victory. Gilmore also hit a three-run homer which was his second of the tournament. He received the “Wow” award and the Home Run ball presentation.

Catcher, Cameron “BE A WALL” Bartelson, would receive the MVP award plus the coveted AHHP award for attitude, heart, hustle and pride.

Wellington team on bridge.

The team — consisting of Jared Shields, Conner Phelps, Wesley Gilmore, Dylan Jones, Jace Lowe, Skyler Struble, Cameron Bartelson, Graysen DeJarnett, Derick Driskel, Zach Fredrick, Ethan Tunnel, and Nick Hyde have been playing ball together for quite awhile since high school junior varsity ball back in March. They played ball together all summer under Brandon Wilmoth and Nick Struble as well as Babe Ruth league ball.

The all-stars were coached by manager Dallas Gilmore and coaches Kevin Lowe and Struble.

The class made it to the state tournament the last five years – placing third as 13-year-olds and state runner up as 14-year-olds.