Local teams claim state championships
Mascoutah squad takes Class A;
Belleville Stallions top Class BOne week after Pete’s Blues, from Mascoutah, captured the ASA Class A men’s fast-pitch softball state title, the Belleville Stallions went undefeated through their tournament to win the Class B championship.
Both tourneys were played in Altamont.
After dropping their opening round game to the Cerro Gordo Broncos, the Blues (26-15) rattled off six consecutive wins, including four Sunday to claim the crown.
“This team has battled hard all year and has been playing on the last day of every tournament this year, so it was great to watch it all come together in the state tournament,” Blues standout Jim Pecoraro said. “You can run down the list of every player on our roster and name a big play or hit they made to help us win this tournament.”
Three of the Blues’ four victories Sunday required extra innings. Along the way, the Blues knocked off the two-time defending state champion Guaranteed Air Freight, of Vandalia, 3-1 on Sunday.
With the game tied 1-1 in the sixth inning, Blues outfielder Mack Schmitt preserved the tie with a catch that saved a potential home run.
The Blues got the winning run in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Steve Linton.
The championship game was a rematch with undefeated Cerro Gordo, and Pete’s survived a tight finish in the first game to win 6-5.
In the second game, Pete’s got to Broncos ace pitcher Brent Stevenson early and held on for a 10-4 win. Jason Iuli went the distance and struck out 11 to lock up the championship.
The Stallions (38-11) opened the two-week Class B tourney as one of the favorites in a 20-team field. They posted an 8-0 shutout over Tri Power Towing, of Altamont, in the first round before surviving a 14-12 win against Wessel’s Coors Light, of Teutopolis.
The Stallions hit seven home runs in the first two games.
They defeated Tropical Snow, of Teutopolis, 9-1 before topping defending Class B state champs Log Cabin, of Villa Grove, 10-2 to advance to the championship round.
Mike Godar went the distance on the mound and also hit two homers with five RBIs.
The Stallions started slowly against Elkville starter Troy Downen, but home runs by catcher Mike Klein and third basemen Steve Godar gave starting pitcher Tim Davis all the support he would need in a 14-7 victory.
The championship was the second for the Stallions in four years. They also won a state title in 2005.
“It was a little different going in as one of the favorites this time,” Stallions infielder and manager Dave Hill said. “When we won in 2005, it was an upset and I think we caught some teams off guard. But this year the goal from the beginning has been to win the state tournament.”
In Class A, infielder Dave Perkins and pitcher Jason Iuli earned most valuable player and most valuable pitcher awards. For the Stallions, pitcher Mike Godar (Alton Marquette) received the most valuable pitcher award, and outfielder Isaac May (Belleville East) was voted most valuable player.
Earlier this summer, the Stallions won the Teutopolis Memorial Day Tournament and the Terry Deering Memorial Tournament in Pinckneyville.
May finished the tourney with a .680 average from the leadoff spot, while Mike and Steve Godar combined to hit seven homers and drive in 18 runs.
Joining Pecoraro (Belleville East) on the all-tourney team for the Blues were outfielder Mack Schmitt (Althoff), catcher Dan Alstat and pitcher Ron Ames (Belleville East).
Stallions all-state representatives were third baseman Steve Godar (Alton Marquette), shortstop Derrick Johnston (Edwardsville), catcher Mike Klein (Mascoutah), and outfielder Chris Viox (Edwardsville).
Belleville will compete at the North American Fast-Pitch Association national tournament in Mankato, Minn. from Aug. 21-24. The Blues will be in Kansas City for the ASA national tourney later this month, and also have earned an invitation to the International Softball Congress Tournament of Champions Sunday through Wednesday in Kimberly, Wis.