Legion baseball: Barrington wins in 10, while Arlington falls short

Barrington went extra time and Arlington came up a bit short in the opening round of the Illinois American Legion baseball state tournament in Rantoul on Wednesday.

Barrington Post 158 broke loose for 4 runs in the top of the 10th to knock off Peoria Post 2 5-1. Prior to that game, Arlington Post 208 dropped a 1-0 decision to Danville Post 210.

Barrington scored all 4 runs before recording an out in the 10th.

Tyler Trojan led off the inning by being hit by a pitch, Tristan Michaels reach on a bunt single and Blake Gosswein walked to load the bases. Sean Davis was hit by a pitch to score one run and Trevor Sefcik walked to score another. Justin Walker then delivered a single to center to break the game open.

Michaels picked up the win in relief of Ryan Loutos, who struck out 12 in just over 8 innings. Michaels along with Sefcik and Walker each had 2 hits.

Danville's Noah Nelson walked with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth for the game's only run to hand Arlington a loss in the double-elimination tournament.

Grant Whitebloom and Paul Tokar each had 2 hits for Arlington while Quin Gudaitis pitched 7-plus innings of shutout ball, scattering 8 hits while striking out seven.

Arlington threatened in the top of the ninth when it loaded the bases with two outs. Tokar and Tom Barnes each singled and Chase Marsh was hit by a pitch as Arlington looked to break through. But the rally ended on a fly out.

Barrington (30-2-1) will play Danville at 2 p.m. Thursday. Arlington (27-10-1) will meet the winner of Edwardsville Post 199 and Rantoul Post 287 in an elimination game at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.