Team effort gets Barrington berth in state tournament

First-year Barrington coach Pat Wire was asked who his team MVP should be Sunday after the Second Division American Legion baseball tournament.

"Our team," Wire said.

That was displayed again as Barrington (18-9) wrapped up its first state tournament berth since 1998 by holding on for a dramatic 4-3 victory over host Wheaton.

With Sean Buchholz unable to start, Tyler Tureck and Chris Rogers combined to get the job done on the mound.

Tureck (5-1) scattered 4 hits and had 6 strikeouts in 6-plus innings, and Rogers went the rest of the way for the save. Barrington will face defending state champion Belleville (30-3) in the first round of the state tourney at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Rec Park in Arlington Heights.

"That part of the story is great," Wire said. "It wasn't great for Sean, but it was great for other guys to step up."

Jack Scheffler went 2-for-3 with a double, triple and an RBI, and Brendon Schumacher tripled and scored on a double steal. Johnny Day also had a hit and a key RBI.

And the big finish came on a ball hit over Scheffler's head in left as he started a perfect relay with shortstop Tom Unak to Bryan Grabowski to nail the potential tying run at third base.

"The next thing you know, we're on our way to the state tournament," Wire said.

Elk Grove (27-11) will open the six-team, double-elimination tourney at 11 a.m. Wednesday against Rock Island (26-4). Host Palatine (21-7) will face Mattoon at 7 p.m.