By Scott Elpers

 The Derby Tigers 12-and-under baseball team won the NBC Hap Dumont State Tournament this past week in Pratt. 

“They were pretty excited,” said head coach Todd Olmstead. “The boys worked hard all season.”

Derby went undefeated through the 29-team tournament. The Tigers matched up against another undefeated team, the Topeka-based Kansas Crush, in the championship game. Derby built a five-run lead early in the game, then scored insurance runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to win the championship 8-6.

The Tigers went 68-6 on the season, which began in March and wrapped up with the state tournament.

The Tigers were one of five teams ranging from 9 to 14 years old, Olmstead helped coach along with Darrin Paxton, Aaron Westerman and Daniel Johnson.

Members of the Tigers included: Noah Johnson, Brett Westerman, Cooper Kelley, Hunter Igo, Brody Kooser, Dylan Alexander, Tanner Olmstead, Lane Sadler, Blayten Tullis, Brayden Paxton and Jaden Gifford.

The same team also won the state title back in 2006.