Algonquin Aces take second in state tourney

The Algonquin Aces 16-U fastpitch softball team captured second place in the United States Specialty Sports Association 16-U "B" Illinois State Championship in Rockford on July 7-8.

In 2006, the Aces were the USSSA 16-U "B" Illinois State Consolation Champions. After their 2006 finish, the team vowed to make it to the championship game of the 2007 tournament.

In game one of pool play, the Aces defeated the Cortland Whipper Snappers 10-0 with Julie Clemment pitching the shutout and Meghan Hough receiving the Most Valuable Opponent Award.

Game 2 had the Aces defeating the Bolingbrook Rage 5-3 with Melissa Summaria in the circle and Paige Retzlaff receiving the Most Valuable Opponent Award. The Aces gained a No. 1 seed for tournament play.

Tournament play began Saturday afternoon with a 6-0 victory over the Belvidere Lady Bucs. It was another shutout by Clemment. The next game the Aces imploded in the sixth inning and lost to the McHenry Heatwave 8-0.

Day one was a long and hot one for the Aces. Their first game was at 9 a.m., and they didn't leave the field until 6:30 p.m.

Now in the losers bracket and facing one loss from elimination, the Aces had another long day ahead of them.

Their first game was against the Whipper Snappers, and they beat them in a 6-0 shutout and Clemment's third shutout. Steph Robson and Danni O'Shea were the hitting stars.

Next up was the Lake County Glory, and the Aces won 9-1. Bree Reyes-Miller (.545 BA) and Paige Retzlaff were the hitting stars of the game. This set up a rematch with the McHenry Heatwave. The two teams played a great game. The score was tied at 4-4 in the fourth inning when Jenny Engels (.450 BA) hit one over the third baseman's head and down the leftfield line for a 2-run homer, giving the Aces the 6-4 lead.

The Aces added a run in the bottom of the fifth for a 7-4 lead. With McHenry batting in the last inning, the Heatwave started a comeback by scoring 2 runs. With runners on first and second, Aces second baseman Brook Frederiksen made a nifty play up the middle to end the game. The victory was helped behind the hitting of Sam Vojtsek (.444 BA) and Brook Frederiksen (.526 BA). The final score of 7-6 placed the Aces in the championship game against the undefeated Crystal Lake Tidal Waves.

Both teams played great defense with great pitching. The Tidal Waves became state champs by a 2-1 score. The Aces had some key defensive plays by Robson, Engels and Reyes-Miller. Summaria pitched the championship game allowing only 3 hits and 1 earned run.

Pitcher Clemment (5-0, 0.86 era), left fielder Robson (.714 BA) and designated hitter O'Shea (.526 BA) made the All-State Tournament Team. Catcher Retzlaff was named Outstanding Defensive Player of the State Tournament.

Team members of the Algonquin Aces are Melissa Summaria, Jennifer Engels and Joanna Fogerty, all of Dundee-Crown High School; Sam Vojtsek, Meghan Hough and Brook Frederiksen, all of Jacobs High School in Algonquin; Julie Clemment, Bree Reyes-Miller and Paige Retzlaff, all of Cary-Grove High School; Stephanie Robson of Marian Central High School; Gabby Rubin and Taylor Maurer, both of Crystal Lake South High School; and Danni O'Shea of Huntley High School.