The American Legion Baseball Illinois State Tournament got underway in Aviston, Illinois on Wednesday. All 8 teams were in action in the first round. Galesburg Post 285 got off to an outstanding start with a 13-0 win over Carol Stream Post 76. The game was scoreless after 3 innings, before Galesburg would score at least one run in each of the final four innings, including putting the game away with seven runs in the top of the 7th inning. Post 285 pounded out 12 hits in the game, with six of those being for extra bases. Nico Ojeda, Hayden Ralston, Owen Timmons and Noah Nalley each tallied two hits apiece. Both of Timmons’ hits were doubles. Ralston blasted his 6th home run of the season and also had a double. Ian Leffler was lights out on the mound, going the first 6 innings on just 68 pitches. He gave up one lone hit with nine strikeouts and handed out 0 walks. Leffler has thrown 28.2 innings this summer and has yet to allow a single run scored. With the win, Galesburg is now (21-6) and will have today off before playing Danville Post 210 at noon on Friday in a winner’s bracket semifinal.
Also on Wednesday, Danville was an 8-2 winner over Alton Post 126 and Rock Island Post 200 lost their first round game to Palos Post 1993 7-5. Palos broke a 5-5 tie with a pair or runs in the bottom of the 6th. Rock Island put the tying run at the plate in the top of the 7th but could not push any runs across the plate. Rock Island stayed alive in the tournament with a 7-1 victory over Rantoul Post 287 in a loser’s bracket elimination game on Thursday. Rock Island jumped out to a 3-0 lead in their first at bat and went on for a 7-1 victory. Post 200 pounded out 12 hits in the game, led by Alex Churchill’s double and homer. Rock Island is now (32-9) overall and will play to the loser of the Galesburg vs. Danville game at 7:30 on Friday night. Carol Streak Post 76 defeated Alton Post 126 2-0 on Thursday to remain in the tournament as well.
There are four games on the schedule for Friday. (21-6) Galesburg Post 285 starts the day at noon with a winner’s bracket semifinal game against (24-10) Danville Post 210. The other winner’s bracket semifinal between Palos Post 1993 and tournament host Aviston Post 1239 will immediately follow. The day ends with two elimination games. The loser of the Palos vs. Aviston game will play Carol Stream at 5:00, followed by the loser of the Galesburg vs. Danville against Rock Island Post 200 at 7:30.
Updated tournament bracket through Thursday’s games….
