Malcolm recently tied an all-class American Legion state record by capturing its fourth consecutive championship.
The 24-5 Clippers won the Class C tournament in Sutton, going 5-0 to take the title. Malcolm dominated the eight-team state tourney field, outscoring its opponents 48-1.
Coach Tanner Soderberg's squad scored seven first-inning runs and went on to defeat Pender 12-0 in the final. That fourth straight state title extended the Clippers' Class C record as no team has more than two titles in a row.
Hickman and Blair each have won three consecutive titles in Class B. Two teams in Class A — Roberts (Omaha Creighton Prep, 1976-79) and Nebraska Sports (Omaha Northwest, 1991-94) have won four in a row.
Malcolm, also the Class C state champion during the spring, will seek to grab the all-class record alone if it can win a fifth straight championship in 2026.
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Malcolm's roster: Austin Sykes, Brandon Wisnieski, Brixon Meyer, Carson Frank, Cayden Robotham, Chase Smith, Garrett England, Gavin Little, Justin Wisnieski, Kenton McGill, Preston Kucera, Logan McGreer, Mason Wisnieski, Mason Zegar, Miles McGill, Nolan Duzik, Reilly Carlson, Tregan Frank.
Coaches: Tanner Soderberg, Shawn Meyer, Heath Kramer, Cheryl Sykes.
Hickman wins Class B
Gana Trucking (Hickman) won its fourth Class B title in the past five years when it defeated Empire Netting & Fence (Waverly) 7-3 in the state final.
The teams had won their respective divisions in the first year of the 16-team format. The championship game was played in Waverly.
Hickman struck for three runs in the first inning and never trailed. Gavin Crogg doubled and tripled and had three RBIs in the game while Crew Moeller was the winning pitcher.
Hickman had won the American Division portion of the state tourney held in Auburn, defeating Springfield 10-0. The team finished 44-4.
Waverly had won the National Division held in Minden, defeating Wayne 12-3 in the final. Waverly had come back through the losers bracket after falling to Lincoln Christian in the second round.
It was Hickman's seventh title since 2013.
Hickman's roster: Aaron Godtel, Aleks Lewis, Austin Oelke, Bryce Fountain, Carson Ibsen, Conner Sperling, Crew Moeller, Eli Starner, Gavin Crogg, Isaac Barber, Jordan Monroe, JT Druba, Kyson Gana, Lane Druba, Ashton Monroe, Rhet Cosier, Tanner Klein, Wyatt Fortner.
Coaches: Aiden Bennett, Alex Nielsen, Colby Hood, Greg Martin, Sean Bartholomew.
Happy but hurting
Baseball can sometimes be a painful game, but don't tell that to Dane Sudduth.
Or, as he is known at Bellevue West, Hit Or Be Hit Sudduth.
The senior earned a black-and-blue distinction at the recent Legion Class A state tournament when he was hit by a pitch for the 100th time during his Thunderbirds' career. He achieved that milestone when Cornhusker Express (Bellevue West) lost 5-4 against Gretna East.
Unfortunately, the NSAA does not have a category in its record book for hit batsmen. Only hits.
Moore comes through
The American Division of the Class A Legion tournament was contested in brutally hot and humid conditions two weeks ago, especially on the first two days of the five-day event when the heat index reached 114 degrees.
They were difficult conditions for all involved — players, umpires and fans. It wasn't any better in the Titans' press box, which is not air conditioned.
A tip of the cap to official scorer and public-address announcer Ryan Moore, who somehow powered through all 15 tourney games.
World Series facts
As Carpet Land (Lincoln East) embarks on its Legion World Series journey this week, a few facts about the event.
Nebraska teams have made 24 appearances and have an overall record of 33-45. Those squads have finished first once, second three times and third four times.
Teams from California have made the most World Series appearances (53) and won the most titles (17). California has the most victories (122) but also the most losses (85).
Carpet Land's opponent on Friday — Texas champion League City — tied a Series record this year with its fourth consecutive appearance. That tied the mark held by Brooklawn, New Jersey.
Four of the eight World Series teams this year fought their way through the losers bracket of their regionals, the most ever.
Corn Belt finale
The Bombers recently captured the Corn Belt League tournament championship with a 7-0 victory over the Cropdusters.
Starting pitcher Ethan Loffer, a graduate of Platteview High School, tossed a complete-game no-hitter.
Nate Thomas batted .600 during the tourney while Thomas Vallone batted .571. Thaden Wewel had two doubles and four RBIs.
Pitchers Dalton Price and Jeff Miller also hurled shutouts for the Bombers, who finished the season 20-11.
The team won three games in the tournament to claim the title under coach Seth Sitzman.
The eight-team league is for college-age players and most games are played at Seymour Smith Park.
Statistics needed
Coaches of Senior Legion teams need to submit final season statistics by Sunday.
The stats, which must be returned on the World-Herald statistics sheet, should be emailed to mike.patterson@owh.com
