Independence tops Shady Spring for Top Prospect MS Title

As the saying goes, it is hard to beat a good team three times in one year.

That was not exactly the case for Independence in The Top Prospects Middle School League Varsity Baseball Championship against county rival Shady Spring.

Using some timely hitting and solid defense, the Patriots (18-2) defeated the Tigers 6-0 Thursday night at Linda K. Epling Stadium for their second straight title.

Following a scoreless first inning, Shady Spring mounted a serious threat in the top of the second by loading the bases with one out.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the stanza told the story of the night when two ensuing strikeouts ended the threat.

Independence took the momentum to the plate in the bottom of the frame to build a 2-0 lead.

K.J. Viars started the at-bat with a single and scored on a double from Conner Price. Price then came in to score on a single from Jacen Brogan.

The Tigers mounted another threat in the fourth, but once again came up empty.

A single and an error placed runners on first and second when Shady Spring elected to bunt in an attempt to move both runners up.

Price made a nice defensive play by gathering the ball, turning and nailing the runner at third on a close play. A fly ball out and another strikeout kept the Tigers off of the scoreboard.

Once again for the Patriots, defensive momentum carried over to offensive production in the bottom of the frame.

Kayden Cyrus stepped in with a runner aboard and launched an opposite field blast clearing the left field fence to give Independence a 4-0 lead.

Shady Spring (12-5) had another golden opportunity to get back in the game in the sixth following a single from Mason Adams and a double from Jace Bailey.

With runners at second and third and no outs, the Patriots defense once again came up big.

A ground ball back to Price for the first out was followed by a diving catch at shortstop by Paxton Myers. When Adams was caught at home trying to score on a wild pitch, the threat faded away.

The final two runs for Independence came on a passed ball and a RBI-single from Kaiden Randolph.

The year-end awards went to Price and Bailey as co-Pitcher of the Year, Randolph was named Hitter of the Year, while Myers was named the League Most Valuable Player.