Despite having a 2-1 pool play record and the second best overall run differential of all 12 teams in the Chicagoland tournament (+26 runs), the Warriors were eliminated from the tournament this afternoon.
In our pool, three teams ended up with 2-1 records (Warriors, Palos and Frankfort). The next tie breaker is head-to-head play--in which all teams were even once again. (Palos beat Warriors; Warriors beat Frankfort; Frankfort beat Palos). The third tie breaker is total runs allowed for the tournament. Palos won that tie breaker with 14 runs allowed--while the Warriors allowed 17 runs in the tournament. Unfortunately, 14 runs turned out to be the magic number for advancement.
The Warriors needed some help from the other two pools to get an at large bid. The Warriors won the tie breakers against all the at-large teams in Grant Park's bracket. But, two of the 2-1 teams squeezed in ahead of the Warriors from the South Cicero bracket as South Cicero allowed just 11 runs and the Southside Hitmen allowed only 14 runs in the tournament.
So, the final four looks like this: Grant Park, South Cicero, Southside Hitmen and Palos. (The fifth ranked team was the Orland Park Warriors.)
The Warriors gave itself a chance by winning a doubleheader today. But, it was too little too late after several missed opportunities in the Palos opener. Hopefully, the team has learned from this experience and now has a better understanding of what it takes to advance in a tournament.
The Warriors will play again next Sunday in a doubleheader at Frankfort. The games will be played at the same facility that we played at today.
I hope everyone enjoys their Memorial Day. And, GO WARRIORS!
2011 Chicagoland Tournament Champions & 2011 Lombard Tournament Champions!
