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| Keegan Batka, Myles Beale, Patrick Burns, Kyle Kirk, Kyle Tepper, Ben Whiteside, Jacob Passinault, Billy Bernecker, Davis Jennings, Matthew Moore, Robbie Stuursma, Ian Walschots-Dana, Henry Wassink, Alex Kolk, Jack Mundell, Josh Weiss. Manager Pat Batka, Coach Scott Bernecker, Coach Jim Weiss |
On a hot and humid day in Oglesby, Illinois, the Southern Senior All-Stars started the day off needing two wins to advance to the
Senior League World Series. Game 1 in the semi finals Southern played the Illinois State Champion from Burbank (Chicago), IL.Keegan Batka, Myles Beale and Josh Weiss led the way with 3 hits apiece. Batka had 4 RBIs while Beale and Kyle Tepper added two RBIs each. Beale had two doubles and Robbie Stuursma had a triple. Southern stole 8 bases during the contest. Southern led 8-1 after 5 innings then scored 4 in the 7th to finish with a 12-2 win. Myles Beale pitched a gem, pitching 6-1/3 innings allowing only 2 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 6. Alex Kolk got the save getting the last two outs on a ground out and a fly out.
Game 2 featured Southern playing the Host team from Peru, IL. And what a start Southern had putting the game away in the bottom of the first inning. After Peru stranded two runners in the top half of the inning Southern came to bat ready to go. A walk to Stuursma, a single by Batka, a single by Beale, a sac fly by Tepper, a home run by Jake Passinault, a walk to Jack Mundell, and a single by Matt Moore. Southern led 6-0 after 1 inning. As it turned out that was all they needed in this match up. Kyle Tepper pitched 3 innings of scoreless ball while walking one and striking out 2 on 4 hits. Ben Whiteside then pitched the last two innings, striking out two with one walk and allowing 3
unearned runs. The final out was a pop up to Keegan Batka, and the dog pile ensued. The parents and grandparents and supporters all had cameras out to celebrate the win.
During the run on The Road to Easley the entire team contributed and everyone at Southern is extremely proud and happy for all of the players and coaches.
Good Luck at the Senior League World Series in Easley, SC!
