Role players key in Arlington's roll

Tim Churchill and Matt Serna were willing to do whatever was necessary to get Arlington back to the American Legion baseball regional tournament.

Churchill has been plunked a bone-jarring 34 times in the leadoff spot. Serna, who usually plays second base, has played first base for the first time.

And Arlington (43-10) is headed to the regional for the second straight year. It opens play at approximately 1 p.m. Thursday against Apple Valley (Minn.) in the eight-team, double-elimination Great Lakes regional in Menominee, Mich.

"No one complains about anything," said Churchill, a Prospect grad who played as a freshman at Bethel University in Minnesota. "Everyone goes where they're needed and knows their role."

Arlington went two-and-out in last year's Southeast Regional in Florida. This time it hopes to stick around through Monday's conclusion and earn a berth in the American Legion World Series on Aug. 24-28 in Bartlesville, Okla.

"I think we've got a better understanding of what it is," Churchill said. "Last year was kind of an eye-opener and we got smoked our first two games.

"I think we're a lot more ready and not necessarily more talented, but we've worked hard to get to this point."

Particularly to overcome a second-round loss in the Cook County tourney and a first-round state tourney loss.

"Even if we're down or blow a big lead we don't give up," said Serna, a Rolling Meadows product who played at Lincoln College. "We're confident we can always get back on track.

"After the first night (at state) everyone felt we could still win this thing."

Arlington coach Lloyd Meyer said he may start left-hander Scott Winters in the opener against the Minnesota state runner-up. Trace Ruffie, Kyle Gaedele, Kyle Henning, Matt Lorenz, Dominic Pugliese, Jason Ganek and Jon Carlson provide pitching depth.

"They're confident in themselves," Meyer said. "Not overly confident, but they know they can play with people."