Post 266 Seniors Bound for State After Wild Card Keeps Season Alive

4–6 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Jeff Douglas & Marisa Dawson

A baseball player diving towards the base while another player stretches to tag him out during a game.
Brendon Da Luz tags out a player sliding into third base.

After seeing its Area Tournament run come to an end with a pair of hard-fought losses, the Bennington Seniors Legion baseball team is getting a second chance.

Bennington dropped a 3-0 decision to Pinnacle Bank (Papillion/La Vista) on Sunday before falling 3-2 to PrimeTime Westview 18U on Monday. While the losses ended the team’s bid for an automatic state berth, the Badgers earned the tournament’s wild card spot thanks to their outstanding regular season, sending them to this weekend’s state tournament.

Noah Langford & Dominic Driggs celebrate a run.
Connor Smith dives back to third base.

For head coach Collin McClain (pictured below on the left), the message to his players after the disappointing finish was simple: their season is far from over.

A baseball player wearing a blue helmet and a jersey with the number 27 and an American flag, looking back toward the field during a game.
A baseball player in a blue jersey and a catcher crouched behind home plate as a pitch is thrown towards the batter in black and grey uniform. An umpire observes the play from behind.

“The close games are always the fun ones to be in,” he said. “It hurts when you lose, but you are better for it.”

Rather than dwell on the losses, he reminded the team of everything they had accomplished to put themselves in a position for another opportunity.

“I just let them know that we are still going to be in the state tournament, and that they earned the right to be there,” he said. “We want to get ourselves back on track this week, but what they did in the regular season earned them a spot and they should be proud of it.”

A baseball player in a blue jersey and white pants is fielding a ball on the infield, while an umpire watches from the background.
Kellen Mlnarik
A young baseball player in a blue jersey swings a bat at a baseball during a game on a sunny day.
Connor Smith

Bennington punched its ticket by earning the wild card through a stellar regular season that included a 9-1 conference record.

“The goal for us was to find a way there,” the coach said. “It didn’t work out in the traditional sense, but the players earned the bid by going 9-1 in conference play.”

He added that continuing the program’s success is something the team takes pride in.

“It means a lot to keep a winning tradition going in Bennington,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of this group that has battled through ups and downs over the course of the season. I know they will be excited for the opportunity.”

A baseball player sliding into base as a fielder attempts to tag him out during a game. Two other players are visible in the background, and the scene is set on a sunny day.
Kellen Mlnarik tags a player out on his way to first base.

Sunday’s opening game against Pinnacle Bank was a pitcher’s duel after Papillion/La Vista scored twice in the opening inning. Bennington’s pitching staff settled in from there, allowing just one additional run while holding Pinnacle Bank to eight hits.

The Badgers were unable to capitalize offensively, collecting five hits but being shut out in the 3-0 defeat.

Monday’s elimination game against PrimeTime Westview was another tightly contested matchup. Bennington found itself trailing 2-0 before cutting into the deficit with a two-run fifth inning. However, PrimeTime answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning and held on for a 3-2 victory despite recording just three hits.

Although the results weren’t what the team hoped for, McClain believes there are valuable lessons to carry into the state tournament.

“We always talk about the little things within the game,” McClain said. “There were a few little things that happened within those games that ended up costing us.”

As the team prepares for state, the focus will be on sharpening execution.

A young baseball player is in a batting stance at home plate, preparing to swing at a pitch during a game. The background features spectators watching the game and a clear sky at sunset.
Myles Gifford
A baseball player in a white uniform swings at a pitch during a game, with fans celebrating in the background.
Dominic Driggs

“When we are executing on offense we are a tough team to beat, so we will spend a lot of time focusing there,” he said.

That preparation extends beyond the physical side of the game. The coach said the team has consistently shown an ability to bounce back from adversity throughout the summer.

“The mindset has to be that you get the drive home to be disappointed and upset, and then you have to move forward,” he noted. “These guys have done an awesome job of that all summer.”

Gabe Nickel

He hopes the team embraces the approach that has fueled its success all season.

“We are at our best when we are playing loose and having fun, and we need to remind ourselves of that,” he said. “I love the question ‘why do you play baseball?’ It’s a perfect reminder that it’s not always about winning every game. It’s about competing with your teammates and playing for something bigger than yourself.”

A baseball pitcher in white and blue uniform delivers a pitch on a baseball field, with a blurred player in the background.
Brody Lichty
Three baseball players in white uniforms discussing on the field, with one player holding a glove and another wearing a cap.

On the field, the emphasis will be straightforward.

“Focusing on doing the small things exceptionally well, and thinking the game,” he is emphasizing to the team.

Coach McClain also expressed his appreciation for everyone who has supported the program throughout the summer.

“It truly takes everyone to make a season run smoothly,” he said. “I want to give a huge thank you to all of the parents and families who have stepped up in so many ways, whether it’s helping around the field or simply being there to support their sons. Your time, effort, and encouragement mean more than you know.”

A young baseball player swings a bat at a pitch during a game, wearing a blue jersey with red accents and white pants, on a well-maintained field with a fence and houses in the background.
Braydan Kloster
A baseball player in a blue and red uniform stands in a batting stance, preparing to hit a pitch during a game. The scene includes a catcher and players in the background, with a field and houses visible.
Noah Langford

While earning a state berth through the wild card wasn’t the route Bennington envisioned, the team is embracing the opportunity.

“One thing I’ve learned about this group is they don’t stay down for long,” he noted. “We will be ready.”

Bennington will look to turn the page and make the most of its second chance when the state tournament begins later this week.

A baseball pitcher in a blue jersey throws a pitch from the mound, while an umpire and a fielder observe in the background.
A baseball player in mid-air catching a ball while playing on a field, wearing a blue jersey and white pants.
A baseball player in a blue jersey and helmet is preparing to bat as a pitch is thrown, with a catcher in black gear behind him and a baseball field in the background.
A young baseball player in a blue jersey swings a bat during practice on a well-maintained field.
A baseball player in a blue cap and jersey running on the field, with a baseball glove in hand, in front of an outfield fence featuring an Omaha team logo.
A baseball player in action, crouching on the field with a glove, wearing a blue jersey and white pants.
A young baseball player in a blue jersey and white pants is catching a fly ball on a baseball field with a fence in the background that has the words 'OMAHA WESTVILLE' displayed.
A young baseball player in a blue jersey with the number 18 is crouching near a baseball bat on a green and black turf field.
A young baseball player swinging a bat during a game, with players sitting in the dugout in the background.
A baseball player in a blue helmet and white uniform swings a bat during a game while a group of spectators sits in the background.
A baseball player in a white uniform catches a fly ball near the outfield fence, with the word 'OMAHA' displayed on the wall behind him.
A young baseball player in blue and white swings a bat at a pitch during a game, with a catcher in the foreground preparing to field the ball, and spectators watching from behind.
A young baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat during a game, with spectators cheering in the background.
A baseball player in a blue helmet and white uniform stands in the batter's box, preparing to swing as a baseball is pitched towards him. A catcher in red gear is ready to receive the pitch, while a group of fans in the background cheers.
A baseball player in a white uniform makes a throw to a teammate while fielding the ball on a baseball field.
A baseball player in a white uniform with a cap crouches near first base, preparing to field a ground ball on the infield during a game in a dimly lit park.
A baseball player in a white uniform prepares to field a ball on an infield dirt area, with umpires visible in the background.
A baseball game scene featuring a catcher in blue gear crouched behind home plate, preparing to receive a pitch, while a batter in a white and orange uniform readies to swing.

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