For the first time since Key West's rebirth in 2004, the Ramblers are champions of the Worthington Tournament. After heart-breaking losses in each of its first two tournament championship game appearances this season, Key West used an offensive outburst on Saturday night to claim a 10-5 victory over Peosta in the title game.
"This was more of a relief championship than anything else," Dan Spain told the Telegraph Herald. "We're having one of the best years this team has ever had, we're 24-4, and it seems like most of those losses were in championship games. It's a relief to get over the hump.
"We don't even get to this game if it wasn't for the way Andrew Redman pitched (Friday night in a 5-0 semifinal victory over Dubuque). Dubuque has a stacked lineup, and that was one of the best-pitched games I've ever seen."
Redman fired complete-game shutouts in the Ramblers' 1-0 first-round win over Balltown and in the team's semifinal triumph over Dubuque. The right-hander's 14 innings of scoreless work in Worthington made him an easy choice for the tournament's Outstanding Pitcher award.
On Saturday, Ryan Kelly earned the win on the mound. He was backed by 2-for-4 nights by Nick Baldocchi and Spencer Kuehn. Spencer Radabaugh took the loss for Peosta.
The title at Worthington marks the team's fourth tournament championship since last season when the Ramblers claimed titles at the EIHL Preseason Tournament, the Farley Tournament and at the Prairie League Championships.
Key West advanced to tournament championship games this season at both the EIHL Preseason Tournament and at Bellevue, only to suffer walk-off losses in each instance. But Saturday, the moment belonged to the Ramblers once again.
"The key all tournament long was we scored runs in bunches," Kelly told the TH. "It's pretty impressive to score five runs against a team like Dubuque, then come back and score 10 more tonight.
"Then, it's just a matter of pounding the strike zone and letting your defense do the work behind you."
Key West's next scheduled game is July 8 versus Zwingle at Table Mound Field. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m.
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