Kennewick Outlaws lose American Legion World Series opener

The Kennewick AAA Outlaws opened play at the American Legion World Series on Thursday with a 14-5 loss to Omaha, Neb.

The eight-team tournament in Shelby, N.C., is celebrating its 90th year. In the opening game, Rowan County, N.C., beat Rockport, Ind., 6-3.

The Outlaws, playing in the Stripes Division, trailed 5-1 after five innings, but Nebraska turned up the heat late, scoring six in the seventh and three in the eighth.

Trent Sellers led the Outlaws (54-15) at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double. Josh Kutzke also doubled for Kennewick, while Dillon Plew went 2-for-4.

Sellers started on the mound, giving up five runs on seven hits and striking out four. AJ Dixon came on in relief in the sixth and worked two innings. He allowed six runs on five hits. Fabian Green had the same fate in the eighth as he allowed three runs on two hits.

Nebraska (59-3), which hasn’t lost since July 12, got a solid game on the mound from John Sakowski, who scattered 10 hits in six innings while allowing three runs. He ran his record to 9-0.

Zac Luckey had three doubles and drove in four runs for Nebraska.

John Hawk and Lucas Ripa hit home runs for Nebraska, and they each drove in two runs.

Kennewick will play its second game at 4:30 p.m. Friday against Rockport.

Nebraska will play at noon Friday against Rowan County.

This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 9:14 PM with the headline "Kennewick Outlaws lose American Legion World Series opener."