Upper Deck Cougars take home championship

The 15-U Upper Deck Cougars American baseball team won the 2010 Illinois USSSA State Championship on June 18-20 at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

After pool play, the Cougars entered the single-elimination tournament as the No. 8 seed to face the No. 1 seed, Lake in the Hills Thunder. The Cougars defeated the Thunder 9-5 to advance to the semifinals to face the Plainfield Hitmen.

After 7 innings of play, the score was tied 5-5. The Cougars put up 6 runs in the top of the eighth inning and held the Hitmen to one run and won 11-6.

The championship game was played against the Upper Deck Cougars National team. Both teams battled for the title, but in the end the American team came out on top 7-5.

Cougar team members are from area high schools throughout Kane County, including Bobby Hess (Geneva), Bryce Rentschler (Geneva), Andy Honiotes (Geneva), Matt Miller (Aurora Christian), Dan Berendt (Geneva), Mitch Endriukaitis (Geneva), Joe Hoscheit (St. Charles East), Troy DeFilippis (St. Charles East), Alex Wolfe (South Elgin), Nick Huskisson (St. Charles East), Tanner Reichardt (West Aurora), Joe Medgyesi (Aurora Christian), Matt Williams (Geneva) and Zak Gaylord (Burlington Central). Coaches are Tom Miller Al Endriukaitis and Keith Wolfe, with manager Brad Medgyesi.