CLICK HERE for team and individual statistics through Game #19.
In order to get to the championship game, the Warriors beat Midlothian, Pilsen (Harrison Park) and Oak Lawn in succession in the Midlothian pool of the tournament. This was the first time that a Warriors team has ever advanced through pool play in this tournament--and the team has participated in this tournament since the 2008 season.
The Warriors advanced through the semi-finals after coming back from a 6-0 deficit in the fourth inning against Westdale. The Warriors won the semi-final game by a score of 10-8.
But, the Warriors saved the best for last.
Steve Sismelich opened up the game with a single to centerfield and scored when Tyler Dempsey advanced the runner to home on a ground ball to the second baseman. The Warriors led 1-0.
Steve Sismelich was the Warriors' starting pitcher. Three of the first four Pilsen hitters reached base before Steve settled in and then struck out the final out of the inning with two runners in scoring position. Pilsen took a 2-1 lead.
The Warriors tied the game in the top of the second inning when Connor Bartle singled to centerfield. Connor advanced to third on Trent Sichelski's single and scored when the shortstop bobbled a ball off the bat of Matt Olinkski.
Steve Sismelich retired Pilsen quickly in the bottom of the second inning. Jason Enguita ended the inning by calling a pitch out and throwing out the runner attempting to steal second base.
The Warriors' defense broke down in the bottom of the third when the inning started with an infield error. Three of the next four batters reach base on singles--and three runs ultimately scored as the result of several ill advised throws and missed cuts. Jason Enguita once again limited the damage by throwing out another runner attempting to steal before Trent Sichelski fielded a high pop fly at second base to end the inning.
Things looked bleak as the Warriors' bats suddenly went silent. From the third through the sixth innings, the team had just one base runner reach first base--and that was on an infield error.
Fortunately, Cody Rutledge threw a masterpiece through the middle four innings of this big game. He held a hard hitting Pilsen team scoreless through the sixth inning--keeping the Warriors' hopes alive, although barely.
The Warriors faced a three run deficit with one inning to play. Steve Sismelich singled to start the inning. Matt Carroll drew a base on balls. Jason Enguita then lined a single to centerfield to score Steve. The Warriors now trailed by two. The Pilsen shortstop then mishandled a ground ball--allowing Matt Carroll to score. The Warriors now trailed by just one run.
Matt LeVigne then grounded out to shortstop, but that allowed Jason Enguita to score from third base to tie the ballgame. Then, with two outs, Connor Bartle singled to centerfield to score Tyler Dempsey with the leading run. The Warriors scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a one run lead.
As a result of calling heads prior to the game, the Pilsen coach won the coin toss and the home team advantage. Now, the Warriors had to hold Pilsen scoreless in the seventh inning to hang onto its one run lead.
Tyler Dempsey entered the game in relief in this high pressure situation. He made fast work of the inning. The lead off batter flew out to left. The next batter grounded to second base, in which Steve Sismelich made a nice play moving to his right. Then, Tyler struck out the last hitter of the game to earn a save of the championship game.
