Shoes Into 2A Championship Game

The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes moved into the championship game of the State Class 2A Baseball Tournament Friday with a convincing 11-0 victory over Orion.

The game at Dozer Park in Peoria was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.

The Shoes, now 30-6 on the season, will take on St. Joseph-Ogden at 5pm Saturday in the title game. SJO saw Chicago Christian tie their game in the bottom of the seventh before they responded by scoring three runs to win in the eighth, 5-2.

Teutopolis batted for almost half an hour in the top of the first and scored five times on three hits and five walks. The Shoes added two more runs in the second, scored a run in the fourth and then put the game away in the fifth with three more runs including a two-run home run to left off the bat of Lane Belleville.

Belleville went 4-for-4 at the plate, adding two singles and a double to the homer.

Meanwhile, Brock Bueker threw a five-inning two-hitter, walking no one and striking out eight.

At the plate for Teutopolis, in addition to Belleville's performance: Carson Hartke--single, run scored, RBI; Jason Kenter--double, two singles, two runs scored, RBI; Jackson Goeckner--run scored; Eric Kremer--two runs scored; Brant Bueker--run scored; Blake Kitten--run scored; Lee Hardiek--single, 2 RBI; Dylan Bloemer--RBI.

Orion dropped to 21-13 and will play Chicago Christian for third place at 3pm.

A reminder of a Welcome Home for the Wooden Shoes Sunday afternoon.

A parade and fire truck ride will begin from Teutopolis High School at 12:30pm. After a parade through town, a reception will be held in J.H. Griffin Gym about 1pm.

A nice touch to Friday's game was the introduction of the Teutopolis Junior High State Champion baseball team from this past fall just ahead of the high school game.