The Neosho Nighthawks American Legion baseball team overcame some difficult odds over the last few weeks of the season, and have been rewarded with the No. 1 seed in this weekend’s American Legion District 15 Tournament at McDonald County High School in Anderson.

The seeding meeting was held Wednesday night in Anderson and it was the two-time defending district champions that will be at the top of the bracket again.

What looked like a bleak possibility following losses to Carl Junction Post 781 and McDonald County Post 392 changed as the Nighthawks won six district games to finish 6-2 in the 8-game schedule. Neosho got a big boost this week when the Miller 39ers upset Carl Junction, dropping Carl Junction into a three-team pack with 5-3 records.

Post 781 earned the No. 2 seed, while Webb City was No. 3 and No. 4 seed went to Carthage. McDonald County was the No. 5 seed, with Cassville at No. 6 and Monett at No. 7. All three of those teams came in to the meeting with 4-4 marks, but McDonald County had the tie-breaker on both of them thanks to head-to-head victories.

Miller earned the No. 8 seed, while East Newton is the No. 9 seed in the 9-team field.

“The No. 1 seed is quite an accomplishment,” said Neosho coach Eddie Crupper. “I am proud of the kids. Since we dropped two games early we had to win out to get it done and we did.”

Neosho, 21-11 overall, drew a first round bye and won’t play until Sunday.

The tournament opens Saturday with four games, starting at 10:30 a.m. with Carl Junction playing Monett Post 91.

At 1 p.m., Miller will play the East Newton Rockets. At 3:30 p.m., Webb City Post 322 will tangle with Cassville Post 118.

McDonald County Post 392 and the Carthage Merchants will wrap up day one play meeting at 6 p.m. — the second straight year the two teams have meet in the opening round of the district tournament.

“I knew we would be in the middle somewhere,” said McDonald County coach Lee Smith of the seedings. “I think it will be a good tournament. Everybody has an ace so the first round games should be exciting. I think it is a wide open tournament.”

Games on Sunday will start at 10:30 a.m., with Neosho playing the winner of Miller and East Newton.

At 1 p.m., the loser of Carl Junction/Monett will play the loser of Miller/East Newton in an elimination game. Another elimination game will follow at 3:30 p.m., with the losers of Carthage/McDonald County playing the loser of Neosho/Miller or East Newton.

The final game Sunday will have the Webb City/Cassville loser playing the winner of the 1 p.m. elimination game.

Games will be at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. the rest of the tournament, which concludes Friday.