Connor Myers, Brooks Richardson help Salina Falcons win 18-under Kansas Grand Slam title

The Salina Falcons' goal entering the weekend was to win the Kansas Grand Slam baseball tournament. 

A majority of this summer's team got a taste of success in the 2021 tournament by capturing the 16-under division as the Salina Hawks. With most of them moving up an age level and playing as the Falcons, the mindset was to go back-to-back. 

Mission accomplished. 

The Falcons defeated the Topeka Scrappers, 4-2, in the 18-under championship game Sunday afternoon at Dean Evans Stadium. The tournament title was the first for the Falcons since 2018 when they defeated Millard North. 

"For a lot of us, this is our last summer together," Falcons catcher Brooks Richardson said. "I think making it two is a big deal for all of us. Just getting that win at home is huge for us." 

Connor Myers, who pitched Sunday's championship game, expressed hope that the younger players within the Salina Baseball Enterprises organization look up to see what this group has accomplished in a short amount of time. 

"We're setting the precedent for all the younger teams that this is what is expected from Salina baseball,"  Myers said. 

The Falcons finished the tournament with a 5-1 record, beating the I-70 Bandits, 12-0, in four innings in the semifinals before winning the championship game. That came after a 9-0 loss to the Wichita Yellow Jackets on Saturday to wrap up pool play.

They knew they didn't need to win that game to advance to bracket play. 

More:Updates: Kansas All-American Grand Slam baseball tournament wraps up

Richardson produces at the right time

Richardson has had some timely hits in his two Grand Slam tournaments.

As a Salina Hawk in 2021, he hit a grand slam in the first game he played in the tournament. Against the Scrappers, he delivered at the right time in the fifth inning, though it wasn't a carbon copy of the previous year.

Richardson's three-run, bases-loaded double gave the Falcons a 3-0 advantage and all the runs Myers would need. 

"I knew I had to hit a ball in play," Richardson said. "I just wanted to get a ball in play and hopefully get a couple of runs in." 

More:Salina Drive taking Kansas Grand Slam 16-under division by storm in dominating fashion

Falcons turn three double plays, but none bigger than the final one 

The Falcons' defense also did its part to back Myers.

They turned double plays in the second and fourth innings with Myers fielding both and throwing to Kaden Herbel, who completed them to Devante Keim-Owens.

Both of those double plays came after Myers allowed a leadoff walk.

"It was huge," Myers said. "I think I walked one of the kids and when you walk somebody, your demeanor lowers a little bit. Getting that double play really lifts your spirits back up, so you're ready to strike out the next kid." 

Myers held the Scrappers to four hits before leaving the game in the seventh inning with nobody out and the bases loaded. Luke Simpson came on and gave up two bases-loaded walks before recording a strikeout and then getting a final double play to end the Scrappers' rally and the game. 

"We were hoping to get the one, but getting two is just huge for us just to seal (the) deal," Richardson said. "The tying run was on third. It was huge for Herbel to make that play." 

Myers planned to only pitch a few innings, but felt good about nearly throwing a complete game. 

"I was glad I was able to throw strikes and keep it a (scoreless) game," Myers said. 

Richardson, who had an up-close view behind the plate, said Myers did his job. 

"Our defense behind him was just phenomenal," Richardson said. "Everybody kind of clicked today and it just went together. When the pieces go together, everything just falls in the right places for us." 

Richardson becomes second family member to win Grand Slam as a Salina Falcon

Not only did Richardson win the Grand Slam twice in two different age groups, but becomes the second family member to win it as a Falcon. 

Richardson's brother, Brogen, was on the Falcon team that won the 2018 tournament. That team also won the Kansas state senior American Legion tournament. 

"I cannot let him one-up me," Brooks said. "We had to do it, too." 

What's next for the Falcons 

The Falcons have three weeks left in their summer season. They'll play their final home doubleheader at 6 p.m. Tuesday against Dodge City before playing in the Best of the Midwest tournament hosted by Kansas State University beginning Thursday. They'll followed that with a tournament at the Genesis Sports Complex in Goddard and then a postseason tournament at a site to be determined. 

"To get this win, I think it's a huge confidence booster and it'll be good for our at-bats," Myers said. "I love coming out here every day and getting better," Myers said. "I had a great outing and I'm hoping I build on that from what happened today." 

Dylan Sherwood has been a sports reporter for the Salina Journal since August 2019. He can be reached at dsherwood@salina.com or on Twitter @DSherwoodSJ