St. Anthony Finishes Second at State 1A Baseball Tournament

Members of the St. Anthony Junior High baseball team that finished second at state are, front row, left to right, Ben Mendella, Liam Hammer, Aaron Webb, Jack Hoene, Dylan Guy, Zach Wortman, Sutherlan Litke and Nathan Schultz. Back row, left to right, Coach Ken Cornell, Jared Hoene, Colin Koester, Will Niebrugge, Bryson Wall, Blake Niebrugge, Hunter Stephens, Braeden Quandt, Ben Strullmyer, Luke Ludwig and Davis Tingley.

The St. Anthony Bullpups baseball team advanced to the Class 1A state championship game Saturday before falling to Joliet St. Paul, 5-3.

The Bullpups earlier Saturday had advanced to the title game with an 11-5 win over Gifford.

Joliet St. Paul got out in front early in the championship game, scoring single runs in the first and second, adding two runs in the third and scoring again in the fourth. St. Anthony scored in the fourth and twice in the fifth, but it wasn't quite enough.

Ben Mendella started for the Bullpups and allowed four runs on six hits in 3-2/3 innings of work, walking two and striking out two. Hunter Stephens pitched the final 2-1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit while striking out a batter.

At the plate for St. Anthony, Aaron Webb scored a run, Mendella singled and drove in a run, Ben Strullmyer singled twice and scored, Dylan Guy had three base hits, Luke Ludwig singled, and Sutherland Litke scored a run.

In the semifinal game, St. Anthony scored twice in the first, but Gifford tied things up with single runs in the first and second. St. Anthony scored in the fifth and then plated six runs in the sixth to take a 9-2 lead. Gifford scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to pull within 9-5, but the Bullpups scored twice in the seventh to put the game away.

Bryson Wall pitched 4-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on no hits and three walks while striking out seven. Aaron Webb, who got the win, pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while fanning four. Luke Ludwig pitched two perfect innings.

At the plate, Ben Mendella singled three times, scored three times and drove in two runs, Blake Niebrugge scored a run, Bryson Wall doubled three times, scored and drove in two runs, Colin Koester got three hits, scored twice and drove in three runs, Davis Tingley singled and scored, Dylan Guy singled and scored, Jack Hoene scored a run, Liam Hammer doubled and drove in a run, Luke Ludwig singled and drove in a run, and Zachary Wortman scored a run.

St. Anthony finished its season with a 16-5 record.

St. Anthony team members are Aaron Webb, Ben Mendella, Ben Strullmyer, Blake Niebrugge, Braeden Quandt, Bryson Wall, Colin Koester, Davis Tingley, Dylan Guy, Hunter Stephens, Jack Hoene, Jared Hoene, Liam Hammer, Luke Ludwig, Nathan Schultz, Sutherland Litke, Will Niebrugge and Zachary Wortman. Kenny Cornell coaches the St. Anthony Bullpups baseball team.