Finney County wins Clanton Title

Garden City, KS-Oh what a difference a year makes. 

In 2016, Garden City’s legion team appeared to be on a collision course with their city-rival Finney County 19 and under in the finals of the Clanton Memorial Tournament. But thanks to mother nature, rain forced a short five-inning game in the semifinals with Liberal, which the Rattlers ended up winning. 

12 months later, branded as the independent version of Finney County 19 and under, Travis Brunson’s team was ready for some payback. 

Eric Heiman threw a complete-game, seven-inning gem, striking out six, as Finney County ripped through the Rattlers 7-2 to claim the 2017 Lee Clanton Memorial Championship. 

“This is my first time winning,” Heiman said. It’s a great feeling to do this with my brothers.”

Heiman was on point from the beginning, setting down eight out of the first nine batters he faced. Then, after allowing a double in the fourth, the former Buffalo who will be playing for Chris Finnegan at Garden City Community College next season, did not allow a hit the rest of the way. 

While Heiman was cooking on the bump, the offense gave him some support early, thanks to Chance Rodriguez’s two-run single in the first. They added two more in the second and some insurance in the seventh on Kaden Tichenor’s two-run single. 

Finney County finished the tournament 6-0. They will play in the Hays Tournament beginning on Friday.