Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Team Illinois Sets Sights On Return Trip To Nationals
By BOBBY CHILVER Journal Sports
Team Illinois, which included several local baseball players, finished with a 1-7 record but heads held high at the annual Oklahoma Sunbelt Classic.
Made up within a week of the tournament and including mostly underclass players, Team Illinois held its own against some of the best prep baseball players in the nation.
"The coaches were very pleased at how the kids competed against the best in the country," head coach Gary Wolf, a Des Plaines resident and Leyden baseball coach, said. "It was a tremendous experience."
The lone Illinois win came last Wednesday in a thrilling 12-11 victory over host Oklahoma.
Illinois finished its schedule with losses to Georgia, Texas and Canada Thursday and Friday. They then dropped the first Saturday playoff game to Oklahoma, giving them eighth place for the tournament.
Arizona won the tourney with a championship victory over Team Texas.
Illinois players returned home last weekend but Wolf said they were all ready for a return trip.
"Even after being outplayed, they all wanted to come back next year," Wolf said. "It just shows the character the kids have."
McHenry's Justin Diedrich was the only Illinois player named to the all-tournament team but Wolf was also impressed with several other players. Lake Park's Matt Keiser and Hersey's Jake Knauss were strong at the plate while Glenbrook South's Cody Stevens played a great overall game as second baseman and leadoff man.
Wolf acknowledged Maine West's John Perez and Leyden's Dan Savas, who both pitched well throughout the tournament.
Leyden's Carlos Olavarria was also part of Team Illinois.
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