Moline ends Wheaton's run at state tourney

The final game of the summer for the Wheaton American Legion baseball team ended early Friday in the state tournament at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.

But a 12-2 loss to Moline in eight innings saw the season end later than it ever has for Wheaton (24-11) as it finished third in the six-team, double-elimination event.

"We can't be disappointed with the season," said third baseman Jake Kline, who had 2 of Wheaton's 6 hits. "We played a good team and you have to come to play every day.

"We didn't stop fighting and they're a good ball team. We can't be disappointed coming in third in state."

It was Wheaton's second loss in the tourney to Moline (35-6), which needs only one win for its first state title when it faces defending champion Palatine (32-9) at 9 a.m. today.

Palatine eliminated Mattoon 11-7 and Crystal Lake 13-6 on Friday and has to win twice again today to repeat as champions.

This was Wheaton's first state trip after finishing a game short of a berth last year. Jerry Miller, who has coached the team for 13 years, said six players are eligible to return next year and the program's junior team won its first two state tourney games this weekend.

"It was unbelievable - and I'm proud of these guys," Miller said. "They did really well and had a great season. Hopefully we can keep the program doing well.

"We're getting good players. Kids see what we're all about and that we can play with the best of them."

Unfortunately for Wheaton, Friday wasn't one of its best days. After starter Aric Dama (5-2) breezed through the first four hitters on 12 pitches, two walks and an error on a bunt led to a 5-run second inning for Moline where Tim Wages (3-for-3) had a 2-run single and Grant Jasper (2-for-5) had a 2-run double.

That was more than enough for Moline as starter Ryan Archer (8-0) allowed only 2 singles and a run in 5 innings. The right-hander threw 42 of his 64 pitches for strikes and had 5 strikeouts and no walks.

"He pitched well and hit his spots and did what he needed to do," Miller said.

"He throws three to four pitches in the strike zone and can keep you off-balance," said Moline coach Jim Zacharewicz of the senior-to-be at Moline High. "Again, the early lead helps tremendously and you can relax a little more on the mound.

"We're clicking right now and hopefully things can stay that way for one more day. The one constant for us is defense."

Leadoff man Ryan Sabalaskey had a single and sacrifice flies in the third and eighth for Wheaton. Jordan Hanlon allowed only 1 hit in his first 22/3 innings of relief before Moline ended it on Eric Ashcraft's one-out double in the bottom of the eighth.

But Kline and Andrew Bergmann, who got Wheaton's win Thursday over Crystal Lake, are among the eligible returnees next year as seniors-to-be at Glenbard North.

"I'm not really surprised we got here," Kline said. "This was a huge accomplishment."