Shelby Co. Legion Squad Has Successful Season

Members of the Shelby County Squad were, kneeling, left to right, Rowdy Durbin (Stew-Stras), Ben Bridges (Stew-Stras), Carter Chaney (Stew-Stras), Tyler Wetherell (Stew-Stras) and Ben Meinhart (Newton). Standing, left to right, Assistant Coach Jeremy Kinkelaar, Colin Kinkelaar (Stew-Stras), Sam Vonderheide (Stew-Stras), Jordan Wittenberg (Stew-Stras), Nathaniel Gracey (Stew-Stras), Jacob Gracey (Stew-Stras), Colten Bridges (Stew-Stras), Austin Wittenberg (Stew-Stras), Rhett Rincker (Windsor) and Head Coach Adam Bridges. Not pictured were Connor Manhart (Stew-Stras), Kendall Morris (Stew-Stras) and Jackson Gurgel (Stew-Stras).

Shelby County (Stewardson) competed in the 4th Division Senior American Legion Tournament hosted by Danville at Gruber Park in Tilton last Thursday through Sunday.

The following teams participated:  #1 seed Danville, #2 seed Lincoln, #3 seed Shelby County (Shelbyville), # 4 seed Shelby County (Stewardson), and #5 seed Rantoul.   

Shelby County defeated Rantoul 6-5 in quarterfinals on Thursday and won over Danville 10-8 in the semifinals Friday. On Saturday, Shelby County edged Lincoln 6-5 to advance to the championship game.

In Sunday play, Danville won over Shelby County 8-1 and came back to win over Shelby County, this time by a 13-11 count.

Shelby County was down 12-0 in the third inning and fought back to make the game close.

This was double elimination so Danville wins the tourney and advances to play at the State Tournament in Aviston.

Shelby County (Stewardson) finished its summer season with a 17-5 record, and surprised many with their success.  This was a very young Senior Legion baseball team with a good mix of area talent.

"When we put this legion team together, there were some questioning if we could compete and be successful playing a senior legion schedule with such a young group of guys, but these boys take baseball seriously, and are always working hard to improve," said Coach Adam Bridges. "There is a lot of talent and determination here that I attribute to our success this summer.When we put this legion team together, there were some questioning if we could compete and be successful playing a senior legion schedule with such a young group of guys, but these boys take baseball seriously, and are always working hard to improve," said Coach Adam Bridges. "There is a lot of talent and determination here that I attribute to our success this summer.

"After the tournament, the division chairman let me know that we are the youngest senior team to have made it that far in the league tournament. I think that is something we can be proud of.

"This is a fun bunch of boys to watch on the diamond."