THS was down, 3-1, in the top of the seventh when the Chieftains had runners at second and third and Talon Langford at the plate.

The late-inning magic from the previous week when THS pulled ahead of Hayden in the regional finals appeared to be brewing once again.

Unfortunately for the Chieftains, the rally wasn’t meant to be. McPherson got the out and advanced to the semifinals.

Tonganoxie, which has become a regular at state in recent years, would be denied its upset bid. No. 1 McPherson moved on and eventually placed third after defeating another Frontier League foe in Paola, 11-4, in the consolation game. MHS finished the season 27-4, while Paola finished 26-5.

THS, the No. 8 seed, finished the season at 16-12.

McPherson got on the board in the top of the first, but THS would keep the Bullpups scoreless until the fifth when MHS used a combination of sharp hits and infield bunts and hits to take the lead.

Tonganoxie scored its run on a throwing error. THS miscues also helped McPherson in the fifth. The Bullpups finished with three errors and the Chieftains two.

Everett Holland went 2-for-4, while Brock Gibbs went 1-for-2 and Piercen Eccles 1-for-3. Gibbs’ hit was a double. Holland also had a stolen base.

Merek Davenport pitched all six innings against MHS. He gave up three runs on four hits. He also struck out four and walked three.

Tonganoxie graduated five seniors this season: Gibbs, Eccles, Langford, Jayson Byrne, Zac Marcouillier and Cael Dye.

Hayden highlights

In the 9-8 regional championship victory against Hayden, Talon Langford went 2-for-3, as did Everett Holland. Holland also had an RBI. Brock Gibbs went 1-for-2 with 2 RBI.

Merek Davenport went 1-for-3 with 2 RBI, while Baron Dohrn went 1-for-4 with 2 RBI. Piercen Eccles went 1-for-4

Davenport pitched 5 1/3 innings. He fanned five Hayden batters, walked three and gave up six hits and three runs, two of which were earned.

Langford pitched 2/3 of an inning. He walked five, struck out one and gave up a hit. He also gave up four runs, two of which were earned.

Landon Bartlett pitched 2/3 of an inning. He gave up two hits and a walk and struck out one. He gave up an earned run and an unearned run.

Eccles then came in for the final 1/3 of an inning. He got out the one batter he faced.

All-league selections

Tonganoxie had five all-Frontier League selections this season.

Merek Davenport was first team all-league as a pitcher.

Brock Gibbs was second all-league infielder, while Bodee MAslak was second team all-league outfielder.

Baron Dohrn earned honorable mention all-league as a catcher, while Jacob Morenz was honorable mention as an outfielder.

Davenport also was named second team all-state as a pitcher.

Fort Scott wins state title

No. 2 Fort Scott (28-3) defeated No. 5 Rock Creek (23-7) in the 4A championship, 6-4. It marked the Tigers’ first state title in program history.

Tonganoxie faced three state teams heading into the tournament: No. 3 Paola, No. 5 Rock Creek and No. 6 Clay Center. THS had victories against Paola and Clay Center and lost the regular-season finale doubleheader to Rock Creek.

Free State won the 6A title, while St. Thomas Aquinas won its second straight state title in 5A and fifth overall. Trinity Academy won its first state title Friday in 3A and St. Mary’s Colgan of Pittsburg won the 2-1A crown. It was Colgan’s 17th state title overall. All have been under the guidance of coach Mike Watt.