Post 57 fifth in Wheaton Legion baseball tournament
Compiling a 4-1 record the Elgin Post 57 American Legion Baseball team earned fifth place in the Wheaton tournament.
Post 57 opened action with a 6-2 win over Portage Park Post 183 behind the complete-game effort of George Heller (1-0). Heller allowed 2 runs with 6 strikeouts in 6 innings. Run support from Austin Jarvis (3-for-4, 3 doubles, a run scored), Justin Kalusa (2-for-3, double, run) and Tyler Shore (2-for-4, run, RBI) sealed the victory.
Elgin's lone loss came in Game 2 when Mount Prospect Post 535 captured an 8-5 decision. Three errors cost Elgin a shot in the championship bracket. Shore (7 innings, 8 runs, 2 earned runs) took the loss. Leading offensive efforts were Ryan Burke (2-for-4, double, run) and Jarvis (2-for-4, triple, 2 RBI). Kalusa (triple, 2 RBI) contributed.
Elgin quickly bounced back with a 9-8 win over Elmhurst Post 187, scoring the game-winner in the bottom of the sixth inning and holding on for the victory. Pitching 6 strong innings, Tom Roth (8 runs, 3 earned, 3 strikeouts) got the win, while Kent Larson was credited with a save. Matching Post 187 with 11 hits, David Hartwell (2-for-2, 2 runs, RBI), Bryan Bell (3-for-4, run), Heller (2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI), Jarvis (2-for-4, RBI) and Kyle Tourtellott (run, 2 RBI) led the Elgin attack.
Because of a rainout Friday during pool play, Elgin Post 57 notched a 1-0 victory by coin flip over Elk Grove Post 216. The coin toss took place following Day 2 action to equalize games played and determine final places in pool action.
The victorious coin toss pitted Post 57 against Northbrook Post 791 for fifth place, a game Elgin took by a 7-1 score.
The offense took charge by scoring 6 runs early, led by Jarvis (2-for-4), who hit a grand slam. Kalusa (2-for-4, triple, 2 runs, stolen base) and Bell (2-for-3, run) contributed. Burke improved to 2-1 on the mound by pitching 5 strong innings. He allowed 1 run with 2 strikeouts.
In another result, Elgin Post 57 beat the Fox Valley Chargers 7-6. Trailing 6-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, Elgin rallied with 6 runs for the victory.
Tyler Shore had a big two out, 2-run double to knock in the winning runs.
Additional late offense from Jared Wienke (2 hits), as well as singles from Justin Kalusa, Austin Jarvis, Tom Roth, Dan Schmerber and David Hartwell sparked Elgin, which improved to 10-4.
Hartwell (2 innings, 1 unearned run) started the game. Reliever Andy Deal posted the victory, allowing 1 run with 3 strikeouts in 2 innings.
Softball
Competing in the NSA State A North Tournament in Orland Hills from June 20-22, the Elgin Heat 16U fastpitch softball team finished 4-2 to earn third place and a berth in the A National Tournament in Columbus for the first time in at least 4 years.
The Heat opened tournament action with 4 straight wins, defeating the Mundelein Thunder 3-1, the Lake County Freedom 4-0 and Streator Thunder 2-1 before sinking the Orland Park A's Green 5-2. The Heat's lone losses came against the Orland Park A's Blue, the eventual state champions, via a 3-1 decision later 3-2 to the Quad Cities Diamonds.
"I can only remember one other time any Heat team at any age level has ever done this well at a state or national tournament," said manager Chad Stonecipher.
Victoria Nino and Ashley Scheffler combined to lead the offense. Nino hit .563 with 9 hits, including 2 doubles and 6 RBI. Scheffler recorded a .625 tournament batting average thanks to 10 hits in 17 at-bats.
Katelyn Stonecipher paced the defense, making an over-the-shoulder running catch.