It took an extra game and extra innings Tuesday Night in Chadron, but the host First National Bank North Platte Nationals claimed the American Legion B-7 District Junior championship by beating B&C Steel of Gering 5-4 in 10 inning after losing to them 3-1 earlier in the evning.

Nationals coach Jonn McLain said after the game that it was an amazing night and he gave all the credit for the title to his players.

B&C Steel had one loss in the tournament while Chadron was unbeaten, so Gering had to win twice against a team that was 5-0 against them this season….all close games. Chadron was on the verge of taking the title, leading 1-0 with the bases loaded in the top of the 6th…but Gering kept the Nationals from scoring, then score 3 runs over their own in the top of the inning and took the win to force the winner-take-all second game.

McLain said his focus between games was on getting his team to put the emotion of the loss behind them and get ready to play.

Chadron found itself down in the second game, but rallied to tie. A diving 2-out catch with runners by Chadron in the top of the 7th kept the game tied. It looked as if the game would keep going after Chadron’s first two batters were retired in the bottom of the 10th, but then the Nationals rallied one last time.

Chadron now advances to the state Class B Junior tournament in Aurora, which begins Saturday and runs through next Wednesday. Brackets are expected out shortly.