Long Grove A's capture CABA 18U World Series
With a string of late-game heroics, the Long Grove A's won the 18-under CABA World Series last weekend in Youngstown, Ohio.
The A's have a number of players from Stevenson High School, but its roster includes players from all over the city and suburbs. The tournament MVP was Ryan Burke from Hampshire, who batted .450. Stevenson senior-to-be Evan Masters was named pitching MVP after recording 2 wins, a save and posting a 1.91 ERA over 11 innings.
Ben Dallesasse from DeKalb was the A's leading hitter with a .474 average, while Stevenson's Erick King batted .429. Stevenson's Merrick McGrady arrived late after attending the University of Illinois camp, but logged a save and win on the mound in the final two games.
The team was coached by Bulls television analyst Stacey King, who said his squad could have competed in the 17-under tournament, but played up because of a scheduling conflict.
"The level of competition was outstanding," King said, "CABA is kind of the equivalent to the Little League World Series. It's the last big tournament for outgoing seniors."
After going 4-0 in pool play, the A's won three playoff games by identical 6-5 scores. In the quarterfinals against Underwood Orr (Mich.), the A's scored 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth off Michigan State recruit Tony Weiber.
Jake LeMay (DeKalb) tied the game with a home run. The A's then loaded the bases and won the game on a single to deep center field by catcher Austin Jarvis (Burlington Central).
In the semifinal against Team San Diego, the A's trailed 5-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth. A 2-run double by LeMay made it 5-4. An RBI single by McGrady tied the score in the fifth and Joey Igyarto (St. Patrick) knocked in the game-winner in the sixth.
Against the Akron Vipers in the title game, the score was tied 5-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh. A single and throwing error on a bunt put runners on second and third with nobody out. Following an intentional walk, Burke's sacrifice fly to center field scored Nick DeGrazia (St. Patrick) with the winning run.