The Battle of Missouri went to the St. Louis Spikes in the championship game of the 43rd annual Midsummer Classic baseball tournament at Borsch Park in Valmeyer on Sunday.

The Spikes, who currently lead the St. Clair Division of the Mon-Clair League, capped off an impressive weekend with a 6-2 victory over the Cape Girardeau Capahas to claim this year’s tourney title. It was the first tourney title since 2011 for the Spikes.

Spikes player Mike Luczak was named tourney MVP after he put on an impressive hitting display all weekend, including a bases loaded double and four total RBIs in Saturday’s 6-2 win against Valmeyer.

The Lakers bounced back from their Saturday loss to the Spikes by coming from behind to defeat the Belleville Rockies in the third place game on Sunday. Trailing 2-1 in the seventh, Dylan Skinner scored on a single by John Wuelling to tie things up.

Valmeyer took the lead in the eighth inning when Kyle Dermody singled to right, scoring recent Gibault graduate Mitch Meyer, who led off the inning with a double. Fellow Gibault grad Wes Degener followed with a single, and a Jake Degener sacrifice fly gave the Lakers a 4-2 lead.

Andrew Bicklein closed out the game for the win. He pitched four scoreless innings in relief of Valmeyer starter D.J. Dillenberger.

In early action on Sunday, the Waterloo Millers won the consolation championship with a 13-7 win over Millstadt. Nick Dunning, who carried the team offensively all weekend, smashed another home run in the win. Brandon Musso pitched effectively to earn the win for Waterloo.

For a complete recap of the entire tourney, pick up the July 9 print edition of the Republic-Times.