Illinois Patriots 13U Black hit the road for tourney split
The Illinois Patriots 13U Black traveled north of the border over the weekend for the Sandlots Swingfest in Salem, Wis.
The Patriots (7-3) finished the trip 2-2 after falling short in the tourney's semifinal on Sunday. Both losses, including a well-pitched 3-0 game, came at the hands of a dominant Wisconsin Wave team, which took home the title. A pair of one-run nail-biters put IP in position to make a run as part of the six-team field.
In Saturday's pool play, the Patriots scored twice in the fifth inning to take the lead over the Milwaukee Criollos in an eventual 7-6 win. Andrew Rossini picked up the win in relief after an Isaiah Ortiz run-scoring sacrifice fly and Micah Giovenco's RBI double broke a tie late in the see-saw contest.
It took a four-run sixth inning rally in Sunday's quarterfinal matchup to knock out the Racine RiverDawgs. With the Patriots trailing 8-5 heading into the game's final frame, Tyler Przespolewski led off with a blistering triple to left center. Ryne Campana's RBI single to center cut the deficit to two before Racine's defensive issues opened the door for him to eventually score. Colin Blanchard, who walked, and Rohin Patel, who reached on a fielder's choice, each crossed the plate on Racine errors to give IP a 9-8 lead.
Campana worked a clean bottom of the sixth to earn the save as Carter Blanchard took home his second relief win of the season.
"This was our first out-of-state tournament, so we saw some teams we've not played before," Coach Mike Giovenco said. "The boys learned and experienced a lot in four games up here."
Prior to the Wisconsin trip, the Patriots ran their record in the West Suburban Baseball League to 2-0 with a 7-2 win over FCA Impact Maroon at Rahlfs Woods in Streamwood. After stranding five runners in the first three innings, the Patriots took advantage of five walks and a Przespolewski single to take a 3-1 lead after the fourth.
Josh Wilder and Rossini opened the fifth with singles. They each scored, as did Przespolewski who had three hits and three RBI on the night, as the Patriots eventually extended their lead to five. On the mound, Campana gave up one run in three solid innings, while Carter Blanchard secured the win in three innings of relief.
It'll be a busy WBSL slate this week for the Patriots, who are affiliated with Palatine-based Dream Big Athletics. They'll travel to Carol Stream and FCA Impact on Monday and Tuesday, respectively; host Carol Stream on Wednesday; and visit Lemont and Electric over the weekend.