Antioch softball excels at World Series
Antioch's state-champion 12U softball team fell two wins shy of earning a berth in the Little League World Series.
Antioch's run ended Wednesday morning with a 5-1 loss No. 1-ranked Michigan in the Central Region semifinals in Carthage, Mo. It was the second time in four days that Michigan defeated Team Illinois.
Michigan went on to defeat Ohio 3-2 Wednesday to win the region and secure a spot in the World Series.
Antioch pitcher Taylor Dishinger had no walks and a strikeout, but Michigan played great small ball and bunted its way to the victory. Antioch made a surge in the sixth inning, but an unassisted double play in the final inning stopped the rally for the home team.
Team Illinois ended its season as a top 15 team in the nation.
On Tuesday night, Antioch's Jessica Tyrell scored 3 runs in a 7-3 victory over Kentucky. With the heat index at 115 degrees, the "Antioch Nine" came out swinging hot bats. Antioch scored four runs in the first inning with the big blow being a 3-run double by Dishinger.
Kentucky battled back with hits from its first 3 hitters, but the pitching combination of Natalie Ivins, Hannah Skoog and Dishinger was too much for the team from London, Ky.
Skoog pitched 2 innings of shutout ball after Ivins struck out three in the first 2 innings. Dishinger closed the game, allowing no hits in the final two innings.
Antioch got 10 hits, including multiple-hit games from Skoog, Tyrell and Dishinger.
Other members of manager Eric Skoog's team included Jessica Pedersen, Lexie Ivins, Paige Gallimore, Kaylee Karpiel, Marissa Grant and Ashlee Briggs.
Northern ICE tryouts: The Northern ICE girls fastpitch softball travel team will hold tryouts for the 2010 season on the following dates at Cooks Park in Wauconda.
• Saturday, Aug. 8
8U/9U/10U: 9-11 a.m.; 11U/14U: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; 13U/12U: 1-3 p.m.; 16U/18U: 3-5 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 9
12U/14U: 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 13U/16U: 2:30-4:30 p.m.; 18U/10U/11U: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 12
12U/14U: 6-8 p.m.; 16U/18U: 8-10 p.m.
For additional information, please contact Rick Eklund at (847) 650-7910 or northernicefastpitch.com or icefastpitch.org.
Lake County Fastpitch tryouts: The Lake County Fastpitch Softball Association will hold tryouts for the 2009-2010 season on the following dates. Travel players from all areas with a desire to play competitive A-level fastpitch softball and who have an interest in playing middle school, high school and college varsity ball are welcome to try out.
There is no fee for the tryout. Players should bring their own equipment and water, and should arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled tryout time to complete a registration/waiver form.
Players under 18 years of age will need a parent's signature on the form. LCFSA uses state-of-the-art technology with all of its players for hitting, slapping, and pitching analysis and development, vision training, and college recruiting.
All tryouts will be held at the Lake Zurich High School varsity softball field. Players need only attend one of the tryouts, but are welcome to return for the second tryout if they feel the first wasn't a true reflection of their skills.
• 16U Freedom: Saturday, Aug. 8 from 9 a.m.-noon and Sunday, Aug. 16 from 1-4 p.m.
• 18U Liberty: Saturday, Aug. 8 from 1-4 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m.-noon
• 14U Glory: Sunday, Aug. 9 from 9 a.m.-noon and Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1-4 p.m.
• 12U Stars: Sunday, Aug. 9 from 1-4 p.mm and Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m.-noon
• 10U Spirit: Sunday, Aug. 9 from 1-4 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m.-noon
Tryouts for the 23U Lake County Independence will be announced at a later date. For more information, call (847) 722-4120, or e-mail Don Moretti at docmoretti@aol.com.