American Legion AAA Zone Tournament Hutchinson vs McPherson 7-15-17

On a humid Saturday morning in the middle of July, the Hutchinson Colts faced off with the McPherson Seniors to begin the journey to the American Legion AAA State Baseball Tournament.

Hutchinson jumped out to an early lead two run lead in the very first inning. McPherson tied the score in the third inning, but gave up two more runs to the Colts the next inning. The Seniors got one run back in the fifth inning and then took the lead for the first time all day in the bottom of the sixth inning. Two strikeouts and a ground out later and they advanced to face the winner of the next game for a chance to go to the state tournament.

Below are some of the pictures I took at the game:

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Members of the American Legion Post 180 Honor Guard take the colors onto the field prior to the start of the AAA Zone Tournament. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

A representative of American Legion Post 180 administers the Oath of Sportsmanship. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

The McPherson Seniors look towards the flag during the National Anthem. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Nathan (#14) catches a pitch that Hutchinson Colt Brody Smith (#1) just swung at. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Brody Smith (#1) slides into second base in the top of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Wyatt Akins (#4) lays down a bunt in the top of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Wyatt Akins (#4) slides into home to score the second run in the top of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Palmer Hutchinson (#3) swings at a pitch in the top of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Korey Holmberg (#14) fouls off a pitch in the top of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Dylan Werries (#23) makes contact with the ball in the bottom of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Dylan Werries (#23) slides past second base as Hutchinson Colt Wyatt Akins (#4) juggles the ball in the bottom of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Alex Kalkhorst (#22) takes a ball on the inside thigh of his right leg in the bottom of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Wyatt Akins (#4) tries to complete a double play after getting McPherson Senior Alex Kalkhorst (#22) out with a force out at second base in the bottom of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Palmer Hutchinson (#3) tags out McPherson Senior Gunnar Reiss (#2) to catch him stealing at home in the bottom of the first inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Trey Riggs (#8) takes a ball off his back as he tries to get back to the bag at second base in the top of the second inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Brody Smith (#1) lines up the ball to catch a fly out in the bottom of the second inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Mikey Saverino (#17) looks back at first base to see that the run he just scored was wiped off the board due to a 6-3 play at first base in the bottom of the second inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Dylan Werries (#23) throws a pitch in the top of the third inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Jace Armstrong (#10) throws a pitch in the bottom of the third inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Alex Sitts (#3) crosses home to score a tying run in the bottom of the third inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Dylan Werries (#23) throws a pitch top of the fourth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Trey Riggs (#8) swings at a pitch in the top of the fourth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Landon Dimitt (#9) starts to slide as McPherson Senior Nathan (#14) dives for the ball in the top of the fourth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

The Home Plate Umpire signals that Hutchinson Colt Landon Dimitt (#9) was safe in the play at home plate to score a run in the top of the fourth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Zane Myers (#15) steps on the foot of Mikey Saverino (#17) as he gathers up the ball as Hutchinson Colt Austin Cowin (#16) nears second base in the top of the fourth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Jack Reifschneider (#18) gets back to second base as Hutchinson Colt Braden Stauth (#25) tries to recover from the play in the bottom of the fifth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Jack Reifschneider (#18) scores a run on a passed ball play in the bottom of the fifth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Dylan Werries (#23) kicks up some dirt as he gets back to first base in the bottom of the sixth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Hutchinson Colt Jace Armstrong (#10) runs into his catcher Palmer Hutchinson (#3) as they both go for a pop up foul ball in the bottom of the sixth inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Jack Reifschneider (#18) throws a pitch in the top of the seventh inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

McPherson Senior Jack Reifschneider (#18) throws a pitch in the top of the seventh inning. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Members of the McPherson Seniors and Hutchinson Colts shake hands following the game. The McPherson American Legion Post 24 AAA Seniors defeated the Hutchinson American Legion Post 68 AAA Colts 6 to 4 to advance to the AAA Zone 8 Championship at the Great Bend Sports Complex in Great Bend, Kansas on July 15, 2017. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)

Click here to purchase prints or downloads of these pictures.