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The Minooka Rivercats 10U baseball team completed a successful 2014 season recently, taking second place in the Nations Tri-State Championships Tournament.
The Rivercats lost, 15-4, to the Plainfield 66ers in the title game. Minooka fell behind early, but were kept in the game by 3-plus innings of strong relief pitching from Ivan Dahlberg, who recorded six strikeouts while allowing only two runs. Zac Monnett and Dahlberg each had two hits for Minooka, as the Rivercats finished in second place.
The Rivercats finished the 2014 season with a total of 34 victories, including a Nations Baseball Tournament championship, a second-place finish in the Nations Tri-State Championships Tournament, and a third-place finish in the 35 team St. Jude Brad Wallin Tournament in Peoria.
Minooka Rivercats 5, North Shore Elite 2: In the tournament semifinal, Minooka starter Ryan Norman pitched 51⁄3 innings, allowing only three hits and racking up four strikeouts. Caleb Parker retired the last two batters of the game for the save. The Minooka offense was led by Zac Monnett with three hits and two RBIs, while Ethan Hocking added two hits.
Minooka Rivercats 12, Downers Grove Longshots Navy 9: In pool play, the Minooka offense was generated from a four-hit performance by Caleb Parker, which included two doubles and three RBIs. Tommy Kuhel and Zac Monnett each added three hits for the Rivercats.
Minooka Rivercats 8, Downers Grove Longshots Teal 6: In the opening game of the state tournament, Minooka’s offense was led by Ivan Dahlberg with three hits and three RBIs. Zac Monnett, Caleb Parker and Frankie Hummel added two hits each for the Rivercats. Ryan Norman pitched one perfect inning of relief to hold the Longshots.
ILLINOIS TRAVEL BASEBALL LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
Hinsdale Redbirds Black 9, Minooka Rivercats 5: In the semifinals, Minooka jumped to an early lead, backed by a two-RBI double by Ivan Dahlberg, followed by a long two-run home run by Logan Crowther. Dahlberg started and pitched three strong innings, allowing only one run while striking out four Redbird batters.
Minooka Rivercats 17, Will County Elite 6: In a slug-fest, Minooka’s offense exploded for 17 runs. The Rivercat offense was led by leadoff hitter Zac Monnett with four hits and four runs scored, while Matthew Dailey added three hits and two RBIs. Caleb Parker had a double and three RBIs, while Ryan Norman added two hits including a two-run triple. Zac Monnett started and pitched three strong innings, allowing only one run and striking out five.
Bolingbrook Fokus Gold 6, Minooka Rivercats 3: Ivan Dahlberg delivered the big blow for Minooka, a two-run home run into the parking lot. Logan Crowther added three hits, but it wasn't enough for the Rivercats. Ryan Norman pitched a shutout inning in relief with two strikeouts.
Minooka Rivercats 9, Woodridge Bulldogs Gold 3: At Woodridge, Zac Monnett started and pitched three shutout innings. Ivan Dahlberg fueled the Minooka offense with three hits, while Caleb Parker added two hits for the victorious Rivercats.
TRYOUTS
Morris Tomahawks: The Morris Tomahawks baseball tryouts for the 13U 2015 season will take place on Monday and July 17 at Roth Field next to Shabbona Middle School from 6-8 p.m. both days. The tryouts are open and there is no fee to try out. If unable to make the tryout or for information, contact Jason Briores at 815-922-9584 or Mike Cummings at 815-302-6758.
Rowdie Katz: Tryouts for the Rowdie Katz 10U and 12U softball programs for the fall 2014 and spring 2015 will take place July 17 at 6 p.m. at Roth Field. Tryouts for the 14U, 16U and 18U teams will take place at 4 p.m. Roth Field July 26. Interested players can go to rowdiekatz.com for information.