Sports

Avon Township Youth Baseball Enjoys Spring Tournament

Avon Township Youth Baseball recently competed in its first tournament of the season.

Spring was in the air last weekend as Avon Township Youth Baseball (ATYB) hosted its first travel baseball tournament of the season at the grounds of the old Softball City in Hainesville.

Participating teams not only took advantage of the beautiful spring like weather, but the updated facilities and fields as well. 

At the 10U level: The battle between Lake in the Hills and the Algonquin Storm provided a boisterous crowd of spectators, second to a major league stadium. Spectators on both sides cheered in unison as the game drew to an end. The seesaw battle between these two teams ended in a 5-4 victory for the Algonquin Storm. 

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At the 11U level: The Algonquin Storm, Grayslake Coyotes, Lake in the Hills, Mundelein and the ATYB Double Headers battled for first place.

The 11U Double Headers faced Mundelein in their first game and won with a score of 10-2, advancing them to the championship game only to face the team that defeated them the night before with a score of 13-2; the Algonquin Storm.

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The game went back and forth with both teams tied at 1 then tied at 3. In the fourth inning, however, left fielder Jeremy Rowder broke the seal with a double and two RBIs.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Algonquin strung together a few runs and mounted what appeared to be a come back. Closing pitcher Mykal Ashley shut the door with a game winning strike, allowing the Double Headers to win by a score of 12-10. 

At the 12 U level: The Grayslake Coyotes took the championship title with a win over the Richmond Rockets. The Coyotes were led by pitchers Ethan Peterson and Nate Twardock giving up only two runs. The offensive punch was provided by Chris Thomas, two for three with two RBIs, and Wes Kemming, the championship game MVP, who was two for two, a double, and three RBIs.

"Not only was the tournament well run and professionally officiated, the spirit of good sportsmanship was evident at all games," said coach Steve Sturm. "The free hot dog and pop for home run hitters was a nice touch too."

The 13U championship game was a rematch between the Avon Double Headers and the Aurora Thunder. Aurora’s bats were hot. The Thunder immediately took a four run lead at the top of the first inning.

The Double Headers did not give up and were anchored by the efforts of Regan Marsell who went three for three, Sergio Meza who went two for three and relief pitcher Jay Patel. Excellent defense from the Thunder contained the Double Headers and the Aurora Thunder took the Championship title.

"Kudos to the Avon Double Headers family. This weekend’s tournament was amazing!" said Megan Thomas a Coyote 12U Parent and Grayslake resident. "The atmosphere was fun and friendly, and we loved the whole feel of the ball parks, quaint and cozy, nothing fancy, just baseball done right."

At the completion of each game played, the coaches from each team awarded an MVP medal to a player on the opposing team. Various players received medals throughout the tournament, further underscoring good sportsmanship and an overall respect for the game.

Submitted by Avon Township Youth Baseball


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