Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Pitching Propels Glenview To Solid Finish At 48-Team Tourney
By DWIGHT ESAU Journal Sports
Youth 18-under all-star baseball teams often invite American Legion teams to tournaments to test themselves against top competition.
Some all-star teams from Illinois and Ohio found out last weekend that Legion teams can be very formidable competition.
Just ask Glenview Post 166's Legion team made up of players from Glenbrook South High School.
Using three callups of younger players, the inexperienced (by Legion standards) Glenview team went 3-0 in pool play and soared to the semifinals of a 48-team tourney in Ann Arbor last weekend. The tournament was held on the campus of the University of Michigan.
In a 5-3 win over the Illinois Indians, Glenview benefited from a complete-game, 10-strikeout pitching performance by Walker Stadler. A game-ending double play ended an Ohio Thunder rally in game two and preserved a 3-2 Glenview win. Scott Houdek got the complete-game win for Glenview.
Torin Kilpatrick and Mike Mullenix combined to do the pitching in a 7-6 win over the Illinois Express in the final pool game.
"We got great pitching in every game, even in the one game we lost," said Matt Stadler, Glenview general manager.
In the semifinals, Casey Garvey pitched well but Glenview dropped an 8-7 decision to an Ohio team. Glenview loaded the bases in the last inning and nearly tied the contest, but a game-ending double play ended the 2-run rally.
"The all-star managers all were amazed that all of our players were from one high school," said Stadler. "They recruit players from a very wide area and many high schools. They were impressed with our effort."
Glenview defeated Mt. Prospect, 4-2, earlier last week to go 4-1 for the week. Post 166 is now 6-2-1 on the season and is in fourth place in the 10-team Cook County Legion League.
Playing key roles in Michigan were newcomers Cody Libman (catcher), Mikey Reinisch (third baseman), and Sullivan Stadler, who played centerfield.
No one on the Glenview roster has any college baseball experience, as many area Legion teams do.
Glenview has county games this week against Northbrook, Arlington, and Elk Grove, and plays in the Northwestern University tournament this weekend, July 3-5.
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