The Kegel Black Knights Juniors of Fargo, North Dakota went undefeated to win the 2013 NAFA 23-Under World Championship with an 11-1 victory over Northwest Implement of Maryville, Missouri, Sunday. Photo By BOB OTTO
DES MOINES, IOWA – Ben Watts homered twice, and Jim Hartman hurled a two-hitter to lead the Fargo Kegel Black Knights Juniors to an 11-1 victory over Northwest Implement of Maryville, Missouri in the NAFA 23-Under World Series Championship, Sunday, at Walker-Johnson Softball Complex.
Watts led Kegel’s 10-hit attack with a three-run home run in the first inning and a grand slam in the second that gave Kegel a 7-0 advantage.
Hartman allowed the one run on two hits with four strikeouts to pick up the win. Northwest scored its run in the third inning when Brett Walker lifted a fly ball deep enough to score Thomas Moravits, who singled with one out. Brett Walker also hit safely in the inning.
Northwest battled its way back into the championship after going 0-2 in the playoffs. The defending 23-Under champions got a huge win by defeating the Young Bucks of Santa Barbara, 5-4, on Brody Abel’s three-hitter with five strikeouts. Abel, who suffered through a sore shoulder throughout the tournament, didn’t allow any earned runs in picking up the victory.
Northwest also defeated the Choctaw Warriors, 13-5, and the Free Agents 12-2 on Saturday to reach Sunday’s championship.
The NAFA 23-Under All-World players include Brody Abel, Northwest Implement; Jake Dalton, Kegel Black Knights Juniors; Adam Henry, Northwest; Jace Holm, Kegel; Brett Walker, Northwest; Matt Oxley, Kegel; Colby Miller, Northwest; Most Valuable Pitcher, Jim Hartman, Kegel, and Most Valuable Player, Ben Watts, Kegel. Photo By BOB OTTO
Kegel rolled through the World Series undefeated (5-0) and placed five players on the All-World team: Jake Dalton, Jace Holm, Matt Oxley and Jim Hartman, who was selected as the Most Valuable Pitcher, with Ben Watts named the Most Valuable Player.
Northwest placed Brody Abel, Adam Henry and Colby Miller on the team.
