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Lincoln youth team turns triple play to win state title

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By TOMMY DAHLK / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008 - 12:33:20 am CDT



Little kids dream about clinching a championship with a walk-off homer.

Not many kids fantasize about winning a championship the way the Lincoln Cyclones won the USSSA 12-and-Under AA State Baseball Tournament. Because it’s hard to even fathom winning with a triple play.

Story Photo
(L-R) Lincoln Cyclones teammates Mason Tyrrell, Brandon Utrup, and Tanner Zeutzius collaborated for a triple play to win the USSSA 12U AA State Baseball Tournament. (Gwyneth Roberts)

Yes, you read that correctly. The Cyclones, with a 15-14 lead, ended the game and clinched a state championship Sunday with  a 6-5-4 triple play against the Grand Island Riverdogs in Beatrice.

Who knows? They may have clinched the ESPY for play of the year.

The Cyclones, seeded sixth among the eight teams to advance to bracket play, played two games earlier in the day and came from behind in both.

Friday in pool play, the Cyclones themselves had a rally killed by a triple play.

Cyclone coach Bob Duren was amazed with how his kids were so prepared and alert at the end of a long tournament.

“To see them in the dugout before we took the lead and before that inning, they could hardly get themselves up, they were all so tired,” Duren said. “They all fought so hard in the heat of the day. You know how when kids get tired, they lose their focus and to have them keep their focus and make this play is incredible.”

The play caused a 180-degree shift in emotion for the Cyclones.

In the top of the sixth and final inning, the Cyclones scored four runs to take a 15-13 lead. The Riverdogs scored once in the bottom of the inning and had the bases loaded with no outs.

Pitcher Alex Utrup threw a fastball to the next batter, who hit a low, sharp line drive to shortstop Brandon Utrup, Alex’s twin brother.

Brandon caught the ball just before it hit the ground. The Riverdog runners had started to run on the contact, and Brandon acted fast.

“My first move was to go to third base so that I could get the lead runner out,” Brandon said.

Third baseman Mason Tyrrell got the ball and stepped on the bag for the second out. At that time, people were still a little bewildered.

“I think they thought Brandon scooped it off the ground,” Tyrrell said. “I did, too, because it was pretty hard to see at my angle. I just saw everybody pointing to second, so I threw it.”

Second baseman Tanner Zeutzius caught the ball at second to complete the improbable play.

“We knew the runners were so far off (the bases) that it was over after Brandon caught it,” Zeutzius said.

The Riverdogs were shocked and heartbroken. The Cyclones couldn’t believe what had happened.

“We just jumped up and down,” Alex Utrup said. “We were speechless, pretty much.”

The players are still in awe of what happened and said the magnitude of their feat has yet to sink in.

One thing is certain: They all agree they’re going to have trouble topping this finish.

“It is going to be pretty hard,” Zeutzius said. “I can’t think of anything that would be better.”

Reach Tommy Dahlk at 473-7431 or at tdahlk@journalstar.com.


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JB wrote on July 8, 2008 10:22 am:
" Nice to see an article about select baseball in the newspaper for once. My son's Dodger team won "AAA" state as a U12 and Babe Ruth state as a U13, but never heard a peep from the paper. "

 Neighbor wrote on July 8, 2008 1:34 pm:
" Congratulations to the Cyclones. I know these kids were really excited. Great story Tommy! "

 C wrote on July 8, 2008 2:32 pm:
" Yes would love to see more from LJS about these kids that play their hearts out. Have an 8 year old whose team won state this year...would love to see an article...but probably won't happen~! "

 Mark wrote on July 8, 2008 3:04 pm:
" What a great article about something that may never happen again to win a state title. "

 Baseball Fan wrote on July 8, 2008 5:27 pm:
" Way to go, Cyclones! "

 Buckeyes wrote on July 8, 2008 5:40 pm:
" Congratulations Alex & Brandon and all of the Cyclones! All of us in Ohio are very proud of you! Good luck at Nationals! "

 Relax People wrote on July 8, 2008 9:21 pm:
" C'mon people. This is a nice deal for the kids and congratulations to the kids and coaches. Those are the ones that deserve it. Quit your complaining about not getting a story about the other select teams and their successes. You should consider it a success that you can pay for your child to be involved in a Select Program that travels and participates in these events. For every one of these youth there are five who do not have the opportunity and would give anything to compete at this level. Let's not fool ourselves these are not always the best athletes but they have the means and resources to compete at this level.

I work with youth everyday who dream of turning a triple play, sinking the winning basket, playing for the Huskers and if I had the chance would put them head to head with any of these teams and 8 out of 10 times they would win. These are the stories that we need to see in the paper...more Glory Roads. "

 M wrote on July 8, 2008 9:54 pm:
" Way to go cyclones...that is a great story. As a divorced mother of a child on a select team I am far from financially capable of "PAYING" my sons way to a baseball future. The wonderful thing about select baseball teams is that the kids actually have to "work" to pay for their fees. My son sold door to door and worked at pancake feeds and actually in the end we ended up getting money back from our organization! So select teams are not JUST for the rich...us poor folk can make the team and the organization makes sure that we will be able to meet the organizations financial responsibilities. I find these programs to be beneficial to my son because of his talent and his LOVE for sports and it keeps him busy year round. I look at it as an investment in my son and his future as a student, a person, and an athlete. Again this is a great story about the Cyclones. Congrats to all Lincoln baseball/softball teams! "

 Beatrice BB fan wrote on July 8, 2008 11:49 pm:
" Congrats to both teams! I was there to witness the play & game. Awesome! Incredible! Supposedly the Riverdogs had beat the Cyclones twice in GI just a few weeks earlier, but going into this game, that didn't matter. It was a classic. Too bad it wasn't videotaped. Back and forth each inning. Exhaustion of players due to the heat and humidity. Home runs galore. Disputed calls and controversy. Excited kids and spectators. Not to mention the final score. This one had it all! Remove the uncalled-for, unsportsmanlike conduct of screaming by the GI head coach at his players and this was a game for all ages to see. Great story LJS! "

 Tom wrote on July 9, 2008 8:25 am:
" I see that those complaining about their select team not getting coverage have overlooked at how this game ended and what a rarity it was. Thank for version of the game, Bb Beatrice fan. This was a great story and I enjoyed reading it. Good job LJS!! "

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