Three BBF Lions players each had two hits in a 10-hit performance that saw the team fall just short of championship tier qualification Tuesday at the Babe Ruth 13-16 World Series.
The young Lions outhit Native Nations 10-6, including three doubles, but timely runs by the Native Nations ultimately led to an 8-5 defeat in a crucial game for both teams.
The loss meant a fourth-place finish in Pool D for the Lions, who will battle the Ohio Valley regional Babe Ruth champions in the tournament’s secondary bracket on Wednesday. Native Nations secured third place in the pool and will join U.S. teams from Mifflin County and San Carlos in the championship round. Mifflin topped the pool.
The Lions leapt to a 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to doubles from Ted Conway and Oliver Galvin. Native Nations were quick to respond, tying the game in the bottom half of the inning with a double of their own and capitalizing on Lions defensive errors.
The Lions turned a double play to end the inning as first baseman Cameron Griebenow threw out a runner at third who had tried to make his way home. The double play was one of three on the day for the Lions.
The Lions regained the lead in the third inning as Kyle Griebenow hit an RBI double to left, with Galvin scoring to make it 3-2.
Native Nations took a 4-3 lead, clubbing a two-run homer off Lions starter Owen Wagner, who surrendered just three hits and two earned runs over three innings, striking out two batters and walking four. Matt Johnson came on in relief.
Native Nations broke the game open in the fourth inning with a three-run triple to centre field followed by another RBI single, extending their lead to 8-3.
Johnson’s pitch speed was gaining velocity, reaching 79 mph, and he soon settled in. Of his 42 pitches on the day, 30 were strikes.
The momentum shifted back the Lions’ way in the top of the fifth inning as Thomas Wheeler and Conway both singled. Johnson then helped his own cause hitting a long fly ball that was dropped by the outfielder. Alert base-running by Wheeler and Conway resulted in two more runs, as the Lions narrowed the gap to 8-5 and ended the day for the Native Nations’ hurler after 89 pitches.
It was as close as the Lions would get, though, as a Native Nations relief pitcher struck out four of the remaining 10 batters he would face, including three successive strikeouts in the sixth inning.
It was a hard-fought game as expected with a berth in the championship knockout round on the line.
Lions head coach Ian Griebenow applauded his team’s performance.
“The boys gave everything again today,” said Griebenow. “Ten hits – what can I say, terrific. Conway, Wheeler, Galvin with doubles – fantastic. Owen Wagner and Matt Johnson pitched hard and we turned three double plays.
“Our opponents got their hits at the right time, and credit to their pitchers, too. With nine errors across both teams, it was a crazy game in many ways. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be our day, but we can be proud of our boys for their outstanding effort.”
The Babe Ruth 13-16 World Series in Branson, Missouri, brings together champions from across the United States and the globe for one of youth baseball’s most prestigious events. The 2026 competition carries extra significance as the World Series forms part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Babe Ruth League.