The Alliance FNBO Spartans Seniors have seen an active week as the end of the season approaches, improving their record to 23-12.
On July 14, the Spartans took on the Bridgeport Bombers. Showing the strength of their defense, the Spartans shut out the Bombers, claiming a 16-0 victory over Bridgeport. Next, the Spartans took on Sidney, which resulted in another shutout. The Spartans claimed an 11-0 victory over Sidney.
On July 16, Alliance traveled to Rapid City to take part in the Black Hills Tourney. They started the action with a game against the Post 22 Expos. After seven innings of play, the Spartans claimed a 9-4 victory.
Next, the Spartans took on Sioux Falls East Post 15. Sioux Falls set the pace for the game, posting three runs in the top of the first inning. Alliance responded with one run in the bottom of the first. After Sioux Falls posted another run in the top of the fourth, the Spartans rallied, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sioux Falls tied the game in the top of the fifth inning by scoring two runs. Alliance scored another run in the bottom of the fifth, regaining their lead. Sioux Falls maintained their momentum, however, scoring four more runs in the remaining innings and preventing the Spartans from scoring. Sioux Falls claimed a 10-7 victory over the Spartans.
Alliance rebounded on July 17, with a win over Outlaw Baseball. After a scoreless first inning, both teams posted one run in the second. Outlaw Baseball took the lead in the bottom of the fourth by posting one run. The Spartans rallied in the top of the fifth, scoring seven runs. Outlaw Baseball scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Alliance maintained their momentum from the previous inning and scored another five runs in the top of the sixth. However, Outlaw Baseball responded with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Alliance posted one run in the top of the seventh, maintaining their lead. At the bottom of the seventh, Outlaw Baseball scored three runs, but were unable to surpass the Spartans. Alliance claimed a 14-11 victory over Outlaw Baseball.
The Spartans faced off against the Post 320 Stars as the tournament progressed. In a game that lasted three innings, the Post 320 Stars claimed a 17-2 victory over the Spartans. Alliance rebounded from the loss by shutting out Mitchell in seven innings of play, claiming a 10-0 victory.
Wrapping up the tournament on July 19, the Spartans faced off against the Gillette Riders. Both teams remained scoreless in the first inning. At the top of the second, Alliance posted three runs, and in the bottom of the second, Gillette responded with two. In the third inning, Gillette took the lead by posting two more runs. The Riders posted seven runs in the fourth inning, one run in the fifth and three runs in the sixth, while preventing Alliance from scoring in the remainder of the game. Gillette claimed a 15-3 victory over the Spartans.
On Monday, the Spartans traveled to Bridgeport, where they played in a rematch against the Bombers. Bridgeport was the first to score, posting one run in the bottom of the first. Alliance responded with one run in the top of the second. In the fourth inning, both teams posted a run, keeping the game tied until the sixth inning, when the Spartans scored two runs. Scoring another run in the top of the seventh, and preventing Bridgeport from scoring, the Spartans claimed a 5-2 victory over the Bombers.
The Spartans faced off against the WESTCO Zephyrs on Tuesday, but the results of the game were not available as of press time.